"Jesus answered and said to the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God.”

John 4:10

All is gift.

One way I recognize that all is gift is when I prepare to preach. I know that any inspiration or meaning I share with others has it origins in Christ. That I do have inspiration and meaning to share comes from the fact that Jesus has given it to me. He is the giver of all things and I am just the receiver sharing what the Giver has given. Just this past Christmas I, without a doubt, recognized Jesus gave me the homily I was to preach. I was praying about what to say when, out of the blue as a total surprise, I thought about the story of a young woman I know. Right after graduating from high school she took on the raising of a newborn child whose mother was not capable of doing. I marveled at this story. Just out of high school, she denied her own plans and dreams in order to do what she felt was the right thing to do. For over 2 years, until her birth mother came back into the picture, she poured out her love and devotion in raising this child. What a truly beautiful story of generous giving by a young person going way beyond the call of duty. But why was I thinking about this story just out of the blue? Because Jesus was giving me my Christmas homily- Raise the Child! Raise me! Think of me as a vulnerable child in who comes to you in your own heart and in everyone you meet. This child needs to be raised to the fullness of life. Lay down your plans and dreams and serve me. Ensure, through your pouring out, nurturing and devotion that I can be all I can be for you and for all.

All is gift. I have just focused on one gift with you- being inspired with meaning for preaching. But what about each breath you take? Each thought? Every good deed you do? The approximately 100,000 times your heart will beat this day? The suffering that leads you closer to the healer? The sin that leads you to cry out for the mercy of the Savior? The dying that can lead to eternal life? The list goes on and on. Make the list. Try to name something you have received that is not a gift.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God.” Jesus was referring to himself. He is the gift of God. He is the giver of all good gifts. It is our job to just fully receive what he offers us and share it as continuously and generously as possibly with others.

Let us pray: “Jesus, may I know that all is gift. All that I am and have is from you. You invite me in all my joys and sufferings to jump into the mystery of you- the Giver of all gifts. Teach me to see that you are reaching out to give to me each moment of my existence. May I be devoted to receiving your giving so that you may reach the fullness of life in me. Amen.”

God’s will!
+Fr. John