I was an avid comic-book collector for many, many years. By the time I got married – mere months after I fully came into faith – I had pretty much quit entirely. In the intervening decade, before I came into the Church, before I met she who would become my wife, events transpired to ween me of my habit. I don’t know if I would fully ascribe it to God’s direct intervention, but – if I were to learn that He did do so – I would be happy and even more awe-filled at His gifts.
About five years before I met my wife, I had a flood in my apartment, owing to the geologic condition known as “living in Florida.” Many of my possessions were ruined . . . including a good chunk of my comics. A couple of years later, in a different apartment (on the second floor, even), another flood – this one due to a plumbing problem – destroyed another chunk of my belongings . . . including, again, a bunch of my comics.
Although I still somewhat considered myself to be a collector when I met my wife, shortly after we got serious, I decided to scrap the whole thing . . . and that was due, in no small part, to having had a bunch of my stuff destroyed earlier.
That part of my history came to mind as I reflected on today’s readings. In the Gospel selection from Matthew, Jesus gives a lesson that’s very familiar to me: Don’t give money so that others may see it. When you pray, do so in private. When you fast, don’t look like you’re fasting.
So, why does Jesus tell us to act this way?
The things that Jesus is describing are – objectively – good for us and/or society: giving money, praying, fasting. But it’s the reasons for doing those things that – for our own souls – is important. It’s about forging that connection with God, about uniting our own personal sacrifices with the spiritual.
But think about the nature of those sacrifices. For example, fasting. Let’s say one person is wealthy and enjoys the finest food every day, while someone else eats meagerly every day: basic staples, plain food, small portions. Logic might tell us that the wealthy person is sacrificing more by fasting; after all, he’s giving up more, in value, quantity, and quality. But I imagine that the meager eater is actually making the greater sacrifice; after all, that person is probably closer to hungry all the time, while the wealthy eater can probably go a day or two without food without any adverse effects.
Jesus makes a similar point in the story of the widow’s offering (from Mark 12:41-44). Jesus notes that others gave from their surplus, while she widow – in giving a few cents – gave all she had.
When it came time to get rid of my comic collection, I was – probably unsurprisingly – a bit sad to see them go. But I wasn’t all that sad; if you’d told me 10 years prior that I’d be getting rid of my massive collection with a shrug, I wouldn’t have believed you. But in the intervening years I’d learned more about what was really important: forming a new life with my wife, preparing our household for the arrival of our child, and . . . well, letting go of material possessions.
Today’s first reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians begins: “Brothers and sisters, consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Becoming a “cheerful giver” – finding the way to give without crowing or to fast quietly – is an ongoing process for many of us. But it’s worth doing. From my own experience, I don’t really have the attachment to material belongings I once did; I still love my books, my mementos, and other objects in my house – but if I needed to get rid of them, I could do so. I’ve found something better; thanks, God! And, indeed, I have gotten rid of many things from the garage and house in the decade-plus I’ve been married.
Jesus’ teachings aren’t punishments, any more than (say) exercise is punishment for your body, or studying is punishment for your mind. We exercise to fortify our bodies, we read and study for our minds’ health, and we follow Christ’s lessons to strengthen our spirits. At the end of the day, our entire lives are focused around that one question: “What is important?” The real world has many incorrect answers to that question, as do our poorer instincts. But Jesus knows what’s important, and has given us solid guidance for how to strengthen our spirits and our connection with God for a lifetime . . . and, hopefully, an eternity beyond.
Today’s readings: 2 Cor 8:1-9; Ps 146:2,5-6AB,6C-7,8-9A; Mt 5:43-48
