Day 74. Which One is Truly Free?
When a person ‘sells what he possesses’ and ‘gives it to the poor,’ he discovers that those possessions and the comforts he enjoyed were not the treasure to hold on to. The treasure is in his heart, which Christ makes capable of giving to others by the giving of self. The rich person is not the one who possesses but the one who gives….
St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Donum
Continuing our reflection from yesterday, here is Luke’s version of the woman’s sacrifice:
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:39-50
Remarkable. What a stark contrast there is between this woman’s response to Jesus and that of almost anyone else in the Gospels. Her feminine genius grasps what the pragmatic disciples and the legalistic Pharisees can’t fathom: Jesus is worthy of receiving our greatest treasures. And not in a measured, calculated way. No, broken open, poured out, lavished at the feet of the Savior; the King of Kings. In the language of sacrifice, this is truly what is meant by “a sweet-smelling oblation to the Lord.” (Lev. 1:13)
To make a generous and total self-gift to God may seem an impossible feat. We know our weakness too well. We know that we falter and fail in even the most basic aspects of discipleship. Why, then, would we presume that we can make a total gift? The problem with such questions is that they place the focus on wrong person: me. “Can I do this?” It’s all about my abilities and my strength. But a vocation is first and foremost about God’s ability not mine.
A priestly or religious vocation is God’s initiative from the start. No one can claim a right to it, no one can earn it, and the only sure bet is that the one who thinks himself most worthy is the least likely candidate. As we’ve already observed God doesn’t call the strong, he calls the weak. He does this to demonstrate his power. A celibate vocation is not up to you. It is a supernatural gift; a Divine prerogative. You cannot make it happen. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…” (Jn. 15:16)
Still, you can ask for the gift. And this is important. You can pray for radical gratitude and responsive love – only these can unleash the total self-gift you yearn to lavish on our Lord. Ask Jesus today to open your eyes to the wonder of his generosity. Let it move you to a response and let your response be extravagant.
When a sacrifice of total self-emptying is made to God, he fills us with himself. Our treasures, broken open and laid at his feet, prompt a response from him that floods our body-temple and the Temple of our Relationships with his own Divine presence and fullness. Jesus becomes the One who is not only our primary love, but our exclusive love. “Sometimes you admit me in my innermost being into a most extraordinary affection, mounting within me to an indescribable delight. If this is perfected in me, it will be something, I know not what, that will not belong to this life.”
It seems impossible. A sacrifice that makes us rich. An emptying that makes us full. And where is freedom in all this? When you think about a priestly or religious vocation, you can’t help but think about all the rules. Bishops and superiors to obey, hours upon hours of prayer, little time for yourself. What kind of freedom is that?
The solution is found in the contrast between the sinful woman and the rich young man. One is clearly burdened by possessions. The other gives all. Even though the woman is more impoverished by her gift than the rich man, her generosity reveals a total interior freedom. So who leaves Jesus more enriched? Who is forgiven? Who has understood love?
Still, the rich man’s response holds an important lesson: you can reject the offer. The invitation to follow Christ is not forced on the unwilling. You do have a choice in the matter and, like the rich man, you can walk away. However, as we’ve already noted, with freedom comes responsibility – your choice has consequences.
This raises a troubling question: “If I know I have a particular vocation, and I choose not to follow it, can I lose my salvation?” Spiritual writers disagree on this question. Some say that an invitation to a higher level of sacrifice – since it is an invitation and not a commandment – must permit us the option to decline without incurring judgment. Others point out that the consistent message of scriptures (eg. the story of the reluctant prophet Jonah) is that God’s call is not optional.
“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God.” Looking again at our Lord’s response to the rich man’s decision, we can at least conclude this: that the same attachments which keep us from accepting the gift of a vocation may one day deprive us of the very gift of heaven. In the young man’s case his treasure is his wealth, but there are other treasures we may cling to – career plans, romantic dreams, an attachment to sexual pleasure or to having things “my way.” Often enough we simply fear what others will say and it’s not hard to understand why. Whenever one is generous with God, it seems that the disapproving crowd is never far behind.
Novena Prayer
Jesus says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Pier Giorgio responds: I offer you my best wishes – or, rather, only one wish, but the only wish that a true friend can express for a dear friend: may the peace of the Lord be with you always! For if you possess peace every day, you will be truly rich.
Let us Pray: Blessed Pier Giorgio, despite your daily struggles, you found peace by fostering your own well being in work, study and play; in prayer alone and with others; in silence and in song, in laughter and in serious conversation with friends. Guide me to that inner peace which will enable me to share peace with others.
Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your intercession in obtaining from God, Who is our peace, all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I confidently turn to you for help in my present need:
(in your own words, ask for the Lord to give you greater gratitude for the graces and gifts you have received from him.)
A Book of Prayers in Honor of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, by Rev. Timothy E. Deeter
Make it My Own
Daily Discernment Workbook
BREAK OPEN YOUR BIBLE
1. The Rewards of Gratitude
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-19
In the story above, what is the gift received by the lepers?
Describe the moment when one leper recognizes the magnitude of the gift.
What is his reaction to the gift?
What motivates his response?
What does his response cost him? (e.g. breaking with friends)
Is his response public or private? (a discrete “thank you” card in the mail?)
Was he one of the chosen people? A Jew in good standing? Was he more or was he less “worthy” among the lepers? Why?
What line indicates Jesus’ approval of his gratitude?
Because he returned to give thanks, what gift did he receive over and above what the others received?
BREAK OPEN YOUR BIBLE
2. The Danger of Ingratitude
The book of 1 Samuel describes the early life of King David. Often it uses contrast – setting a good example alongside a bad example – to teach lessons about righteousness. The story of Nabal and Abigail is a story about gratitude and ingratitude. David and his swordmates are in exile, unjustly hunted by King Saul. David needs supplies for his warriors who have assisted some shepherds in caring for a large flock owned by Nabal, but Nabal refuses this very reasonable request. David is furious, but Abigail, Nabal’s wife intervenes and averts a bloodbath.
Prayerfully read 1 Samuel 25 (the whole chapter).
What is Nabal’s attitude about the abundant wealth he has received from God?
What is the servant’s witness about how David and his men have treated them?
How does Abigail save her household?
How does God avenge David and show that he holds people responsible who are given much but do not share?
Picture This…
Using my imagination, I now change the story of Nabal and Abigail to envision the final judgment. David and his warriors descending upon Nabal’s camp becomes Jesus returning with his angels to judge his Church at the end of time. Jesus is angered that his followers – symbolized by Nabal – whom he has won at the price of his own blood, have taken his generosity for granted and treated his request for a grateful response so carelessly. The sacrifice of radical gratitude is symbolized by Abigail’s gift and her plea for mercy. Jesus sees the offering of total self-gift and his heart changes from anger to mercy and blessing. Who in the Church today makes the sacrifice of Abigail? How is it expressed? Whom does it save?
Conclude with
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen.”
[1] Confessions, Saint Augustine, tr. John K. Ryan, Doubleday, Image edition 1960