SEDL: God is Always Giving Gifts

Week One, Number 1

Grace:

My Lord Jesus I beg for the grace to appreciate the world, my life, and my self for what they all are: outright gifts from God my Creator and my Lord.

Scriptural Passages:

Ezek. 11:17-21 You will be my people and I will be your God;
Lk. 1:26-38 God gives Mary the gift of Motherhood;
Eph. 1:3-14 God gives grace and Christ-life.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first instalment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory (Eph. 1:3-14).

Points for Reflection:

Jesus commonly began his prayer to God by saying, “I thank you.” Before raising Lazarus, he said, “Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer” (Jn. 11:41). Jesus prayed thanks because he lived thanks. Taught by the great tradition of the People of God, Jesus took the faith-stance that everything is a gift from God.

This is how Jesus looked on the world, his own history, and everything that came into his life: as given Him by God. He said to God the Father, “All you have given me comes indeed from you” (Jn. 17:7). He meant all, too – his family, his history, vocation, work and even his passion. He saw everything as gift because his eyes were full of faith.

Some people just take the world as it is: What is, IS. They are like a color-blind eye that sees things clearly but only in shades of grey. You are called to take the world for granted, which literally means as given to you by One who is greater: What is IS GIFT from God.

You were chosen by God to have Christ’s eyes for the rainbow of gifts God grants: the earth, the heavens, science, music, your own life and talents, those whom you love. God has given you a special place among the chosen people, the saints. Could God tell Mary through the angel what to call her son? Well, God has called you from your mother’s womb by your own name.

Standing in gratitude, you recognize that you cannot of yourself demand an hour of life or an inch of height. You cannot guarantee anything for yourself or those whom you love. But because you have chosen to “set your heart on the kingdom of God,” you know that “all these other things will be given you as well” (Mt. 6:34). This faith and this trust are themselves gifts, not accepted by many in our life world.


PRAYER: Lord, mighty God, You are the Creator of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and of all the unseen tiny atoms, vast forces, my own life world, my own life, each of my days. Nothing in me could demand of you that you create me. Everything that is you demanded of you that you create me, for you are Love and you wish to share with those who will love you. I praise you, I thank you for all that I am and all that all of us are and have. Amen.


Source: Joseph Tetlow, S.J. (1989). Choosing Christ in the World. Saint Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources.