Must Read From The Word Among Us

I am about to go over and celebrate Mass. I just read today's reflection from the Word Among Us. It's excellent. I know most of us compare ourselves to others all of the time. The reflection steers us in being more interested in focusing on what God asks of us rather than being discouraged or inflated by pride at seeing what other people are doing.

Here is the reflection:

“This poor widow put in more than all the rest.” (Luke 21:3)
We so often concern ourselves with calculations and comparisons. We weigh the advantages and dis­advantages of a course of action. We look over our shoulders to see what someone else is pledging to the capital campaign or bringing to the parish potluck dinner. We sometimes burden our children by comparing their accomplishments with those of their older siblings.
Jesus knows his disciples also engage in comparisons, but he invites them to revise their calcula­tions. No, the widow’s “two small coins” can’t objectively compare with the much greater offerings of the wealthy. Yet Jesus insists that she gave more because it was all she had. The difference wasn’t how much she gave but how much (or how little) she had left over. This is the calculation that demonstrated her trust in her heavenly Father.
In a subtle way, these wealthy people probably felt they were giving God enough to make sure that he would prosper them in return. There was a certain proportionality in their sense of giving. They felt that God owed them based on how generous they were.
By contrast, this widow knew there was an infinite gap between her and God. She knew that she depended on him for her very “live­lihood”: her life, her health, her family, her food, her shelter, her tal­ents, all that she was and all that she had. It all had come from God, and so it all belonged to God. She had no illusion of being able to give him what he truly deserved or repay him for his kindness to her. But this realization didn’t make her feel worthless. Quite the opposite, she was overflowing with gratitude. And her generosity made Jesus smile with delight.
So go ahead and make com­parisons if you want. Just don’t waste your time comparing your­self with someone else who may have received much less or given much more than you. Instead, take a look at how generous God has been to you. He has held nothing back, including his only begotten Son. Soak in that love, and let it stir up your own generosity. Don’t try to figure out how much you have to offer. Simply give him as much as you can.
“Jesus, you love a cheerful giver. In gratitude I give you my heart.”

Comments

  1. In valuing others' opinions of us over God's also sets us up to never be able to live up to others' expectations and being constantly hurt when we do not get the affirmation that we are looking for. Our loving God, on the other hand, loves us unconditionally, whether we fail or succeed. Looking to His approval will build us up and help us grow from strength to strength in His mercy and love. Praise God!
    Thank you for your encouraging posts, Fr. Jim.

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