The expression “you have to learn to give as good as you get” in American idiom refers to the ability to hold your own in a group of strong-willed people. Sometimes parents say it to their children to encourage them to stand up to bullies. What “you get” is thought to be something challenging or difficult. In today’s gospel, the meaning is just the opposite. What we get from the Divine Giver is an overflowing abundance of compassion and love. Among a people who struggled for enough food, to be given an overflowing measure of grain is an image of the Creator’s care and providence. How is one to respond to the unearned gift of God’s gracious mercy? The gospel gives the answer: by emulating the One whose child we are by continually opening ourselves to the immeasurable goodness, compassion, and love of the Most High. The more we become conscious of how much we graciously receive, the more our measure for giving to others increases.
Jesus gave back forgiveness and resisted the instinct to give back in kind – hatred for hatred, curses for curses, jealousy for jealousy, murder for murder. And, in this, he wants imitation, not admiration. Christian discipleship invites us, like Jesus, to become a “lamb of God,” who helps take tension out of our family, friendships, churches, and workplaces, rather than giving it back in kind.
What enables us to be compassionate, nonjudgmental, forgiving, and giving is that God has first been that way with us.
God bless! Have a wonderful week!