Lectionary: 180O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.
In today's gospel, Jesus exhorts his missionary disciples, "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."
Several years ago there was a serious discussion about the cost of clean air. Critics asked, "What is it worth to you? How much are you willing to pay; how much should we be willing to give for air clean enough to breathe? What restraints should we put on our economy, our security, and our way of life for the sake of clean air?"
There were complaints that the projected costs were too high. It would take more sacrifice and more restraint than many were willing to make. They might travel less, shop less and consume less energy. They might have to set the thermostat down and dress warmer. Some merchants could not sell as much as shoppers want. Some airlines might fly fewer airplanes. People might have to be content with less than they want.
Since that time the conversation has changed a bit. Engineers have learned to exploit alternate energy sources including wind, tides and sunlight. Though our energy consumption continues to go up, some idealists believe clean energy sources may overtake and supplant fossil fuel energy. They assure us, "There will be no need for sacrifice in your future!"
Their promises sound vaguely like the promises of the Old and New Testaments, "The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst."
But the Lord never promises anyone a life without sacrifice. Nor does the Lord, as superabundantly resourceful as only God can be, hesitate to make sacrifice for us.
The Christian, called to live like Jesus, understands a life without sacrifice is not worth living. The Christian, filled with the Spirit of Jesus, looks for opportunities to make sacrifice, and leaps at the chance when they appear.
That skews the whole discussion about taxes, for instance.
Most people, even non-Christians understand we must give more than we receive in order to survive. That's common sense. The fact is I can never tally all the sacrifices others make for me; they are too many and, due to my callousness, I don't notice most of them. And, besides, when I keep score I lose my peace of mind. It's better not to.
People are willing to make sacrifice when they believe their fellow citizens, church members, colleagues, or family are also making equal sacrifices. But they pull up short when they suspect someone is shorting them.
The Christian, imitating Christ, continues to give, knowing that we cannot outdo God's generosity. Our standard is not other people but the Lord. We have seen the Father give his Only Son for our salvation; we have seen Jesus pouring out his blood, water, breath and life in love for us; we have found in ourselves an inexhaustible willingness, which is clearly a gift of the Holy Spirit.
We can do this without ostentation for we trust in the words of Jesus, "The Father, who sees in secret, will repay you."
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.