Receiving and Giving
As Christians, we are called to live under a very simple principle; for all that we have been given, we must give not expecting repayment. And then ironically, the repayment we receive is far more abundant that what we might expect under the world’s rules.
All three readings today bear out the truth of this basic principle. In our first reading from the Book of Genesis, Abraham and Sarah give of themselves by offering hospitality to strangers. They do not expect repayment but they receive from God something more important than the food they have offered to strangers; they receive the gift of life as one of the strangers foretells the birth of their son in the future.
All three readings today bear out the truth of this basic principle. In our first reading from the Book of Genesis, Abraham and Sarah give of themselves by offering hospitality to strangers. They do not expect repayment but they receive from God something more important than the food they have offered to strangers; they receive the gift of life as one of the strangers foretells the birth of their son in the future.
In our second reading from St. Paul to the Colossians, Paul regards service to others as a part of a loving God’s stewardship to all human beings. Paul understands that the mystery of God’s love is service. We receive in turn the abundant life of God, a life in which we receive in fuller measure we have provided. We come to understand that the joys of this life are not our possessions but we have done for others.
And finally in our Gospel, Jesus chides Martha for focusing on the parts of service that can be drudgery. He tells her the better part is dwelling on all that God has done for us. For everything we have comes from God; the air that we breathe, the material possessions we think we own. What we really do possess, and the only thing we ultimately possess is the love of a God who loves so much God shared humanity with us and offers to share divinity with God.
Unlike the economy of our country or any country, the economy of salvation is not run by the economic principles invented by human beings. In Christian terms, the greatness of any country is not measured by how much material wealth is generated or how callous a country can be to its poor, marginalized or unemployed or how many countries that country can invade. Greatness comes from the joy of giving; it comes from the joy of faith that whatever we give we will be repaid far more handsomely in the currency of grace that brings us peace in this life, and salvation in the next. Our country, whose birthday we celebrated a few weeks ago, was born and has been sustained by the individual sacrifice for the many.
Now these words all sound good. But how do give in order to receive? The answer can come to us at times from some very surprising sources. One day a young boy told his mother that he was going out to play for the day. His mother told him to be back before dark.
The little boy had not told his mother the whole truth about his intentions that day. For it was a Monday in summer and on Sunday the family had gone to church. The homily at Mass was about how God lived among us. The little boy had taken the homily just a bit too literally. So he decided he was going to travel to meet God.
The little boy had also heard that God lived in heaven, so he figured it would be a long journey. He packed his small suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer. He slipped out the back door without his mother noticing what he was carrying.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pidgeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at the boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave. But before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him the biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She was curious about the suitcase and asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?
He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? God’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!
Meanwhile the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his son’s home where he now lived. The elderly man had many of the ailments of old age that had taken their toll on the old man’s outlook on life. So his son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, “Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?”
He replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” However, before his son responded, he added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”
Brothers and sisters, we can sometimes forget that God walks and speaks to our world through each one of us. When we realize the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, we realize that God really does live among us. He lives in us and others.
So give in order to receive. And if it gets tough, think of the little boy and the old man. Ask the Lord for help. After all, He gave more than anyone. And look what we can receive if we follow Him.