Three gives

THE STORY is told about a quiz show on the Bible, with participants coming from different schools and colleges. All eyes were focused on the last lady contestant. The quiz master said: "For 10,000 pesos tell me, who was the first man?" The lady answered: "Even for 1 million pesos, I wouldn't tell you!"

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We all have treasures which we would rather not part with. These are the things, people or convictions that are of great value to us. But what can you say of a man who is willing to give everything, even His very flesh and blood for others? The guy must be crazy!

That is precisely the reaction of the Jews when they heard Jesus declare that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will have eternal life (Jn. 6, 51-58). While many of us would rather not give (no-give), or would give sparingly (five gives), Jesus shows us what total and unconditional giving is (give na give).

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I borrow an illustration from the late Fr. Bernard Le Frois, SVD about Christ's total sacrifice of Himself in the Eucharist to impart divine life in us. Father Le Frois cites the pelican, a large bird with a large beak. "Legend has it that when the mother bird has nothing more with which to feed her young, she rips open her breast with her beak, and feeds her young with her own blood, until she has given them the last drop. The mother bird dies, but the young live by the total sacrifice of the mother's blood."

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We have often heard, and we ourselves perhaps have often mouthed the saying "It is better to give than to receive," but, sa totoo lang, it is not easy to give. Naturally, we'd rather take, and keep.

Of course, we do give, too, but often our giving is conditional ("I give, but..."). Oftentimes too our giving is calculated ("I give, 3 x a day, only"). At times, our giving is manipulative, and with a hidden agenda ("I give, in order that..."). We need to learn from Jesus in the Eucharist what total and conditional giving really is.

Are you a giving person? How do you give? How much do you give? Are you yourself a gift? Are you in tune with the Giver of all gifts?

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There are three "gives," we need to learn in life. The first is simply to learn to give. We teach the children to be wise and to be safe in this world, but are we teaching them to be kind and generous? By word and example, we often teach them to take, hoard and keep, that's why there are so many selfish, individualistic, deceitful, cunning, shrewd and even arrogant people in this world. The problem is doubled when such kids become politicians, government officials, military men, policemen and even religious leaders.

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The second thing we need to learn in life is to forgive. Aware that we are recipients of many gifts, and humbled by God's mercy and forgiveness for our sins, mistakes and weaknesses, we too must learn to forgive one another. God has a hard time dealing with those who have never experienced brokenness and forgiveness. Self-righteousness has a cousin called pride, spiritual pride. While we busy ourselves clamoring for justice and for our rights, let us not forget that beyond justice is mercy, forgiveness, compassion and love. Indeed, justice is the minimum of love, but beyond justice is love.

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The third we need to learn in life is to "thanksgive." The word is not in the dictionary. It is in the heart that is deeply aware and humbled by God's generosity.

The problem with "self-made" people is that they begin to think of their worth in terms of their achievements and hard work. They leave no room for grace anymore in their lives, and treat others in the same way. Such people see themselves to be bigger than what they really are. They have bad vision, and a wrong sense of mission, if any, at all.

Let us learn to "thanksgive" to God and to one another, and we all will have a more beautiful world.

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The Eucharist is where God is present to give and forgive, and that is where we in return "thanksgive." Our lives should be one big Eucharist filled with giving, forgiving and thanksgiving.

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For those who belittle the importance and value of the Eucharist, as they are so busy with their quest for wealth and achievements in this world, here is an anecdote from F.H. Dunkwater: Napoleon Bonaparte, who was known for his victories and conquests, was once asked by one of his generals what was the happiest day of his life. They thought he would mention his victory in Lombardy or Austerlitz or the Bridge of Lodi. After a long pause, Napoleon replied, "The happiest day of my life? Ah-that was the day of my first communion. I was near to God then."

Are you still near to God? God is always near you and me. It is we who move away. Let us go back and stay close to Him, especially in the Eucharist.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, teach me in life to give, forgive and "thanksgive." Amen.