As we approach the wonderful Advent season of grace, a time when generosity seems to increase for many (and decrease for some), it is important to consider the impact that generosity can have in transforming us into the image and likeness of Christ. Remember how generous the Lord was to us by becoming one of us through his incarnation and saving us from sin and death through the Cross.
After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” (Luke 11:37-41).
Jim worked feverishly to unplug his kitchen sink. Try as he might to open the drain, the water would not flow down properly. He tried a plunger. No good. He tried a chemical drain opener. Still a slow drain. Finally, he replaced the pipe itself, and everything cleared up. As he looked at the inside of the old pipe, Jim saw a load of corrosion and muck. The old pipe looked good on the outside, but it was too messed up on the inside to work properly.
As Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees, we can look good on the outside and still be terribly corroded on the inside. Like the drainpipe, we don’t work properly if we are carrying a lot of muck within ourselves. Try as we might to transform our behavior, if we don’t deal with what’s inside us — the areas in our lives that are opposed to God — we will never be able to live and act as Jesus desires.
Jesus points out one way for us to deal with those things that are within us: to give alms. How can giving our resources to the poor have any affect on our inner lives? It seems that Jesus is saying that acts of kindness and love toward others, especially the poor, have a cleansing and purifying effect on our attitudes. Giving to others frees us — unclogs us — from the effects of selfishness and sin. Acts of charity and kindness can develop an attitude of concern for others and freedom from worry about ourselves that strengthens us both inwardly and outwardly.
Have you tried “giving alms” as a way of becoming more Christlike? Try practicing acts of kindness every day. Consciously apply yourself to this divine remedy for inner change. Ask the Lord to help you and inspire you as you work on your inner life with the help of the Spirit. You may find that not only are your attitudes transformed, but your new outward actions are affecting the people around you as well. Like that new drainpipe, you’ll become an effective channel of God’s grace.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Help me to give without counting the cost through your grace and your power. May I be transformed more and more into your image and likeness.
Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. The article states that “Try as we might to transform our behavior, if we don’t deal with what’s inside us – the areas in our lives that are opposed to God — we will never be able to live and act as Jesus desires.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
2. Take a few minutes to reflect on those areas of your life that are “opposed to God.” Why do you think Jesus said giving alms is one way to root these areas of sin and temptation that are within us. Why can giving our resources to the poor have any affect on our inner lives?
3. What acts of generosity, charity, and kindness can you take during Advent to respond to Jesus’ challenge to give alms and be transformed? Are you willing to commit to do at least one or two of these?
4. We know that these acts of generosity, charity, and kindness are not just a matter of trying harder but require God’s grace and power. If you are in a men’s group, end your meeting by praying for one another using the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point. How else can you support one another? Continue to share with the men in future meetings how you are doing in performing these acts and the fruit of them in your life.
