Give From Your Need
Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the courtyard of St. Mary of Nazareth Parish, Brooklyn, NY
Written on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021
Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:
share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.
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I’m going to write a bullet-point blog this time around. I’m on tour in Brooklyn now, and I feel short on both time and energy. But perhaps this feeling ties in with the message from Mass last week!
Last Sunday, we attended Mass in Arizona. I felt quite distracted all Mass long: from arriving at the last minute, to our children’s questions about the seating order in our pew, to the teenager’s outfit in front of me, to the extremely loud audio feedback at the beginning of Mass.
Fragments of sentences stood out from the readings, but I forgot them shortly after I heard them.
During the homily, two things resonated with me: 1. The guest preacher was from the Midwest. 2. He explained the message of the gospel in this piece of advice, “Give from your need.” I decided to run with the advice .
The Lord has been asking me to give of my time and attention even when I have precious little to give! This calling has been especially of note in friendships this week. To call a friend, even when I feel overwhelmed with work, for instance, has been a blessing.
I noticed this word at work in marriage, too, when I was tempted to skip time with David, out of anxiety over my upcoming tour! But we chose to spend the time together. The Lord multiplied both my time and my feeling of love and connection.
Two instances of this idea, “give from your need,” came to mind this week: 1. When my sister told me (she was in high school and I had recently graduated from high school), “If you’re too busy to clean, maybe you’re too busy.” She loved for our shared room to be tidy, and I was trying to explain that I simply did not have time for it. Her answer convicted me!
2. When a mentor at church told me, “If you’re too busy to give a hug, you’re too busy.” I had asked if she had a moment to say hello, and her response was so generous. I admit that I sometimes skipped hugs out of busyness before that, but I usually remember her words now.This little window (pictured above) caught my attention today. I think it positively reflects the message of this Word for the Week. I had such a full day today: a morning retreat and then two evening Masses, in different parts of Brooklyn; plus jet lag, and lots of admin tasks waiting for me on my computer. Well, as I walked down the winding staircase of the beautiful old church where the retreat was held, I felt a cool breeze. When I looked out of the broken window to my right, I saw this statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This snapshot reminds me that Jesus knows how to get my attention in the midst of my need. In fact, it’s in my need that He is strongest in me, perhaps because I can best recognize Him then.
Here’s a verse to encourage you, if you’re feeling particularly in touch with your need tonight: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” -2 Corinthians 12:9
Thanks for listening. Like the woman who gave her last coin to the Lord (Mk. 12:41-44), may we give from our need and see how God multiplies our gifts.
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