Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them (Mt 6:1)
I find it remarkable that what Jesus recommends to us we give alms, pray and fast, is recommended through the wisdom of other beliefs as well. A universal truth? Or simple God present in all nations at all times, from the beginning until the end. I bought a T-shirt in Thailand with a picture of the back of a sitting Buddha. On his back is a tiny square of gold leaf. The text is Buddha's: Do good things although nobody sees it.
When we go against our natural selfish desires and give a part of ourselves to our brothers, the ego demands consolation. "See all, look at me, how good and generous, how holy, how wonderful i am!". While giving we can inflate our Self. Ironically, through loosing our Self we only then reinforce it and make it stronger.
Hence the recommendation to undermine the ego, to nip any pride at the bud. Why give if no one knows? Good question. Who is asking the question? The ego. A gift has no strings attached. 'It is better to give than to receive', we say, but do we mean it? No strings, no expectations, no judgement calls such as so-and-so is not worthy, no double think such as 'i'd like to give, but i know he'll just just the money to buy drugs' or 'i'd give but that little girl will just have the money taken from her' or 'no i wont give anything because i already gave at the office / church / relief fund'.
Outside our church there is often someone begging for coins. Having put all my coins in the collection trays and the rest in the boxes for candles, just as i was exiting there stood a woman inside the church begging. My first thought was 'Inside? Oh, please, waiting outside the exit is manipulative enough! But to come in and beg? The gumption!'. Christians are supposed to be easy prey: full of goodness and charity and reminded of it by priest and sacrament at mass, how can we turn it off or ignore it the moment we exit the building? In Western Europe we pay lots of tax to fund ventures that keep the poor fed and clothed and under a roof. To beg on the street is then a choice, not need, we tell ourselves. The ego is justifying its tightening of the purse strings. We judge before we even reach into our pocket. I'd like to apologise to that woman. Whatever her reason to beg, i should not care and rejoice in the chance to give her something, even if it isn't the shirt off my back.
What goes around, comes around. I give unconditionally. I receive too, unconditionally; 'Your Father knows what you need before you ask him' (Mt 6:8)
Deo gratias.
I find it remarkable that what Jesus recommends to us we give alms, pray and fast, is recommended through the wisdom of other beliefs as well. A universal truth? Or simple God present in all nations at all times, from the beginning until the end. I bought a T-shirt in Thailand with a picture of the back of a sitting Buddha. On his back is a tiny square of gold leaf. The text is Buddha's: Do good things although nobody sees it.
When we go against our natural selfish desires and give a part of ourselves to our brothers, the ego demands consolation. "See all, look at me, how good and generous, how holy, how wonderful i am!". While giving we can inflate our Self. Ironically, through loosing our Self we only then reinforce it and make it stronger.
Hence the recommendation to undermine the ego, to nip any pride at the bud. Why give if no one knows? Good question. Who is asking the question? The ego. A gift has no strings attached. 'It is better to give than to receive', we say, but do we mean it? No strings, no expectations, no judgement calls such as so-and-so is not worthy, no double think such as 'i'd like to give, but i know he'll just just the money to buy drugs' or 'i'd give but that little girl will just have the money taken from her' or 'no i wont give anything because i already gave at the office / church / relief fund'.
Outside our church there is often someone begging for coins. Having put all my coins in the collection trays and the rest in the boxes for candles, just as i was exiting there stood a woman inside the church begging. My first thought was 'Inside? Oh, please, waiting outside the exit is manipulative enough! But to come in and beg? The gumption!'. Christians are supposed to be easy prey: full of goodness and charity and reminded of it by priest and sacrament at mass, how can we turn it off or ignore it the moment we exit the building? In Western Europe we pay lots of tax to fund ventures that keep the poor fed and clothed and under a roof. To beg on the street is then a choice, not need, we tell ourselves. The ego is justifying its tightening of the purse strings. We judge before we even reach into our pocket. I'd like to apologise to that woman. Whatever her reason to beg, i should not care and rejoice in the chance to give her something, even if it isn't the shirt off my back.
What goes around, comes around. I give unconditionally. I receive too, unconditionally; 'Your Father knows what you need before you ask him' (Mt 6:8)
Deo gratias.
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