There are a few Bible quotes, especially from Jesus, that should put us on edge a bit.
One classic is His command to “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). Also unsettling is, “I tell you solemnly, I never knew you.” (Mt. 7:23).
A third is from Mark 4:25: “To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Regarding that last one, the line prior says that “the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.” With that as a prelude, perhaps many of us first think of material goods, and we wonder if it explains those who are rich — who seem to just get richer — and those who are poor and who keep sinking deeper into poverty.
But Jesus may be referring to something else. As we approach the holy and penitential season of Lent, we might want to apply that thought of having much and gaining more to our faith.
Growth in faith is not at all automatic. Faith is like many other things — we generally get out of it what we put into it. When we put some extra effort into our faith, volunteering to help with something at our parish, dragging ourselves off our couch and into the pews for a parish mission, making time to go on a retreat, reading a challenging book on faith, we almost certainly gain something valuable along the way.
God honors those efforts and soon will invite us to other opportunities. Some options are enjoyable, some will be demanding and maybe even life changing. We may wonder why on earth did we volunteer for something difficult, or we may discover a new source of fulfillment.
You never know what faith efforts will bring, but we know that God is pleased when we give something a try, especially if it is “just because” God seems to want us to do so. That’s the point, really — to respond to God’s love and direction.
It is a concern that some people in our pews don’t do anything extra, relying instead on their grade school faith of a while back and on doing the bare minimum. Weekly Mass is hugely important, of course, and it is difficult or impossible for some of our fellow Catholics to venture out. But still there are faith filled books to read, prayers to pray, quiet time to spend with Jesus … even switching our radios to a Christian radio station or watching EWTN or a faith-based movie qualify as more.
God calls all of us to the “more” of Him. The more generously we respond, the more generously He responds.
There truly is always more when it comes to faith. More to learn, more to do, more to become, more closely to follow Jesus. More growth, more challenges, comfort, friendships, joy and insights. Most everyone can benefit when they reach out for the “more” when it comes to faith.
Lent, of course, is a perfect time to step out into the depths of our Catholic faith. Most parishes have extra Lenten events such as parish missions and other special speakers, collect items for those in need, and even organize special mini-mission trips. Even fish fries and soup suppers provide an opportunity to meet fellow parishioners, and they often happen around an extra weekday Mass or Stations of the Cross.
The “more” of almsgiving fits right into the above Scriptural warning about how the measure we measure out will be measured back to us. The poor are everywhere. Many people are suffering for a variety of reasons, most of which don’t originate with them. If they are suffering because they did something stupid, well, who of us can say we never did anything stupid? We could say we got lucky, but they got clobbered.
This Lent, we may want to wonder more deeply than usual if we are growing in faith and knowledge and hope and love. Lent is a perfect time to all do what we can do — stepping out and embracing the “more” of faith.
God bless your Lent!
