is to completely give of yourself
To forgive means to completely give of oneself from within, it is alms giving in the truest sense of the word. Charlotte Joko Beck wrote “Our failure to know joy is a direct reflection of our inability to forgive. Non-forgiveness is rooted in our habit of thinking self-centered thoughts.” If we cannot see beyond ourselves we cannot forgive, we cannot completely give to others.
Jesus tells us that we must not only be clean on the outside but on the inside as well. Cyril of Alexandria wrote, “Christ shows that those who sincerely serve God must be pure and clean…from what is hidden within the mind.” A number of years ago there was a mantra that was frequently voiced, “It is better to look good than to be good.” Sadly this is how many look at alms giving; giving so as to look good rather than to be good. And how foolish is that.
A short story written by O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi, is a wonderful example of the giving that Jesus asks of us. If you have never read it, please take the opportunity to do so. It tells of a poor young couple, each with one possession in which they take pride: beautiful long flowing hair for the young woman and a shiny gold watch that had belonged to the young man’s father, and how each traded away their only possession in order to give the other something of value.
Jesus tells us that “Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.” It is for us to determine what we treasure most: those of earth or those of God. Completely give of yourself and it will be a gift from God.
