Advice From Our Patron: Share
Friends,
In the Gospel today, the people asked John the Baptist what they should do. He told them: “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do the same.” That is tremendous challenge to every one of us. We all have a surplus of clothing and food. We all have a lot of things. God has blessed us with plenty, and then our patron ruins everything by telling us to share. We have a hard time sharing because we treasure and hold onto our things. I am just like you. I have too much. I must hear the words of John and let go of some of my stuff. The chill of winter is a great time to give some of our stuff away to the poor.
Here is a little poem that fits this theme:
“They may see the good you do as self-serving.
Continue to do good.
They may see your generosity as grand-standing.
Continue to be generous.
They may see your warm and caring nature as a weakness.
Continue to be warm and caring.
For you see, in the end,
It is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.”
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Fr. John
