Everyone gives what they have

Monday, October 17, 2022

*Msgr. Jose Luis Hernando

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We live in a world full of violence, arrogance, insults and aggressiveness. That is why we live in war and we lack peace. It is said that peace in the world begins with oneself. To be able to live in peace, giving and creating peace, is a beautiful endeavor. If our heart is at peace with God, with ourselves and with others, then our heart is clean and clear, and our deeds and words will also convey peace.

There is a story, quite tragic, that can teach us to think and change certain attitudes. Once upon a time there was an arrogant and wicked person. To humiliate a poor man, he gave him a tray full of garbage and waste on his birthday. The recipient did not feel upset. Rather, he kept quiet and, as a gesture of gratitude, he wanted to give back something nice to the person who tried to humiliate him. He threw the garbage in a wastebasket, washed the tray, covered it with flowers and returned it to him with this message: "Everyone gives what they have."

This story, both cruel on the one hand and gentle on the other, reminds me of what I read several years ago, never forgot, and have sometimes had to apply to my personal life: "The only dignified way to respond to an insult is to ignore it. If it is difficult for you to do this, try to get over it and not make a big deal out of it. If you can't get over it, take it with humor. If you can't do any of this, it is more serious. It would be sad to think that perhaps you deserve such an insult."

Do not be saddened by the attitude of some people. Do not lose your peace and serenity. Do not allow anyone to take away that wealth. Think that anger is not good for your health. Bitterness damages the liver and resentment poisons the heart. Do not be equal to the person who insulted you. They will not change with ease, but don't let them turn your peace into war and violence.

It is said that the rattlesnake, when surrounded by fire, feels so angry and frustrated that instead of looking for a way out and saving its life, it does the opposite: it prefers to immolate itself by surrendering to the flames. It destroys itself wrapped in a double venery: that of its body and that of its angry feelings.

It is sad to see people poisoning and destroying their lives. They let themselves be devoured by the fire of anger, resentment or contempt. They are not magnanimous people, that is, they do not have a big heart. On the contrary, their heart is so stunted and selfish that there is no room for love, much less for peace. That is why they live at war with themselves, with their closest relatives and with everyone else. They create their own enemies as they please.

We must overcome impulsive and emotional reactions, waiting and counting to 10 or a 1,000, and being masters of ourselves. Let us not add fuel to the fire of anger. We must not lose our calm. We must be capable of asking for forgiveness with humility, accepting our faults. It is necessary to think before speaking, especially if it is to insult, to judge or to condemn.

Let us remember the words of Jesus: "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. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." (Luke 6:36-38)