9/11/14

Gospel LK 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount. 
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

Gospel

Taking on the task of teaching 6th grade math this year has definitely, even after just under four weeks, has stretched me in new and beautiful and challenging ways. Having been out of the classroom as a teacher for the past 6 years, I have greatly appreciated the chance to put into practice what I have preached to teachers as an administrator. I've been able to reignite my flame for education. I've been able to connect with students in ways that aren't possible as an administrator. I've been able to dialogue with teachers with the back drop of "hands-on" experience as a teacher at ICS.

For all of these blessings, though, my reentry into teaching hasn't come without a price. In many ways, I feel that I am giving to those who have asked as well as those who haven't even requested! The pace of teaching and being an administrator is exhausting. I have yet to settle into any semblance of a routine. My planning and grading time is typically even later at night (or earlier in the morning) than my administrative time. I've finished each of the last three weeks physically spent. This week looks like it will follow suit. 

God, though, doesn't just want me to serve Him as a Catholic school principal. He doesn't just want me from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Similarly, He doesn't want me just for my marriage or fatherhood. He doesn't want me for a short prayer time at the beginning or ending of my day. 

He wants all of me. All of my desires. All of my hopes. All of my worries. All of my brokenness. All of my failures. All of my successes. He wants it all. 

A few days ago I was introduced to the theological concept of the Law of the Gift. Spiraled throughout scripture, the Law of the Gift dictates that we become more authentically "us" the more we give ourselves away. Jesus gives one of many lessons on the topic in today's Gospel:

Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.

Our natural human instinct of self-preservation makes accepting this Law difficult. Personally, I want to get more sleep. I want to spend more time with my family. I want to wake up and not feel as if I'd been hit by a truck. But, God wants me to give my all. He wants all of me. He wants me to give of myself until I have nothing left to give. 

For it is in giving that we receive, pardoning that we are pardoned and in dying that we are born to eternal life (prayer of St. Francis of Assisi). 

Take it all, Jesus. I give my heart to you.