I choose to see all the love around me. A son, burdened by his own personal concerns and anxieties, reaches out to a parent and checks out on how the parent is doing. He stays with him. A parent, caring for a sick child, would gladly take on the pain of the child. Since pain is not transferable, the parent chooses to bear with and suffer with the child the pain he is going through. He stays with him.
A teacher nurtures and teaches her students with dedication and devotion as if they were her own. She gives without computing for the cost/benefit ratio. A doctor spends long hours caring for a sick child, not her own, to make sure he makes it through the night into the morning light. A stranger gives food to a hungry homeless person and relieves the grumbling in his stomach.
To give we must first have something to give: food, clothes, medicine, money. But when these are gone or not available, we realize we still have something to give – ourselves. Then, we realize we have kept the best for last. For in the end, beyond all the things we can give away, the gift of self is the best we can give others in love.
How often I forget these simple lessons on love. How often I measure my giving in terms of material things. How often I choose to give things so as not to give of myself. How often I forget that the currency with which I give of myself is the time I spend with the persons I love and hold dear.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48