December 15, 2024.
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” (Luke 3, 10-11)
Those people who listened to the preaching of John the Baptist understood at that moment that something had to be done. They felt that they had received sufficient motivation and asked the preacher what they should do, given that they were already convinced. Juan answered them with the lesson of charity. If you fell loved, he tells them, set yourself to loving.
This formula continues to be valid and contains in it self the essence of the divine pedagogy used with Christ. If God is love, if you really believe he loves you, if you are convinced that the Child of Belen or the crucified of Calvary is the Son of God who is born and dies for you, then you cannot remain indifferent or in mere contemplation. After contemplating, after filling yourself with reasons, you must pass to action, you must set to loving.
But, who to love? First and foremost those with whom you have a debt of love: the family, once again, is presented as the first who should receive the gift of our love. After come friends, coworkers, fellow students, and also above all, those who show in their body or their spirit the print of pain, of necessity.
You mustn’t forget, and this is the important idea, hat the point isn’t to do things for Christmas sentimentalism or “spirit” or for altruistic or humanitarian reasons. Generally these motivations produce little and the cheap charity is quickly used up. You have a debt of gratefulness with God. Pay it with your fellowman.
Intentions: With whom do you have debts of love? Who complains because the think I am ungrateful. Who needs my love whether they have a right to it or not? Love them as Christ has loved you.