Luke: 15:1-10.  . . . ."which one of you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?"

I am often asked why I go after the one, rather then the ninety and nine, and my answer is that no one else does for the most part--but the real answer is I have always been that one. I have always been different, I have always been an outsider, and the reason is that I have always walked the road less traveled.  I have never fitted in-in school, in the church. Some of it had to do with my sexuality, but the primary reason is that I have followed a different voice. I do not fit in with my clergy colleagues now--I do not choose to work in a local church, draw a large salary, and the reality is I am as educated, if not more so then them.  When I worked in mental health I worked with the people, would rather spend time with them rather then seek advancement, and I choose the side that is always on the losing side, the side of the oppressed, and I do not make any bones about it.  I walk on the edge.  St. Josephat Kuncevyc wrote: "I am here among you as a shepherd, and I would give my life for you."   That is the way I feel about my work, about the people I serve. People say things, do things, that are painful, but I am their shepherd and I would lay down my life for them in a minute. People ask me why I do not burn out, and it is simple, this is not my life, it is not a job, or something I do and leave and go to a "nice" place, but I live and work in their midst and they are a part of my life. I do not separate from them as my "clients".  So I seek after "the one" simply because not many people choose to, but because I am one of the "ones" as well. I spent last night in the Haight. Had coffee with Maria, outreach on Polk and then to bed at 1:00 a.m. I was totally exhausted. Deo Gratis! Thanks be to God"