July 2002
These words of Jesus are so important that the Gospel of Matthew reports them twice (Mt 13:12; 25:29). They clearly show that God’s economy is not ours. His calculations are always different from ours, as when He gives the same pay to the laborer who worked only one hour and to the one who worked all day (See Mt 20: 1-16).
Jesus says these words in answer to the disciples who had asked Him why He spoke openly to them whereas to others He spoke in parables, in a way that was more difficult to understand. Jesus gave His disciples the fullness of the truth, light, precisely because they were following Him, because He was everything for them. They had opened their hearts to Jesus, they were totally prepared to welcome Him, they already had Jesus. To them, Jesus gives Himself in all fullness.
To understand his way of acting, it might be helpful to recall a similar sentence reported in the Gospel of Luke: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.” (Lk 6:38) These two sentences show that in the logic of Jesus, having (“to anyone who has, more will be given”) is equivalent to giving (“give and gifts will be given to you”).
I’m sure that you too have experienced this evangelical truth. When you helped a sick person, when you consoled someone who was sad, when you stayed closed to someone who felt alone, didn’t you sometimes feel a joy and peace without knowing where it came from? It’s the logic of love. The more we give, the more we are enriched.
So then we could express the Word of Life for this month in this way: to those who love, to those who live their lives loving others, God gives the capacity to love even more. He gives the fullness of love to the point of making them like Himself . And He is Love.
«To anyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.»
Yes, it is love that makes us be. We exist because we love. If we didn’t love, and all the times that we do not love, we are not, we do not exist. (“even what he has will be taken away”).
All we must do then is love, without sparing ourselves. Only in this way will God give himself to us and with him will come the fullness of his gifts.
Let us give concretely to those around us, certain that by giving to others we are giving to God. Let’s give always; let’s give a smile, understanding, forgiveness. Let’s listen, let’s give our intelligence, our availability; let’s give our time, our talents, our ideas, our activity; let’s give our experiences, our capabilities; let’s share our goods with others so that nothing accumulates and everything circulates. Our giving opens the hands of God who, in his providence, fills us superabundantly so that we can give again, and much, and receive more, and in this way meet the boundless needs of many.
«To anyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.»
The greatest gift that Jesus wants to give us is Himself. He wants to be present in us always: this is the fullness of life, the abundance with which He wants to fill us. Jesus gives Himself to His disciples when they follow Him united. This Word of Life reminds us, therefore, also of the communitarian dimension of our spirituality. We can read it in this way: those who live mutual love, those who live unity, will be given the presence of Jesus Himself in their midst.
And we will be given even more. Those who have, those who have lived their life loving others, thereby gaining the hundredfold in this life, will also be given, in addition, the reward: heaven. And they will be in abundance.
Those who do not have, those who will not have the hundredfold, because they did not live their life loving others, will not even enjoy the good and the goods (relatives, things) that they had on earth, because in hell there will be nothing but pain.
Let us love then. Let us love everyone. Let us love to the point that the other person returns our love and it becomes reciprocal: we will have the fullness of life.
Chiara Lubich
“Not merely an academic, but a spiritual experience”
“This meeting has been a spiritual experience, not just an academic exercise. We have all experienced the closeness of God. We were given an introduction to the Christian tradition, which we already knew something about. But it was Chiara’s personal and spiritual experience, her experience of God, which enriched us in a special way, because it is so similar to what our own saints have experienced.” This is what the Director of The Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham Cultural Institute of the Somaiya University of Vidyavihar (Bombay), Dr. Kala Acharya, declared in an interview with Vatican Radio. Preparations began well in advance in India and at the Center of the Focolare Movement in order to meet everyone’s high expectations. The symposium went well beyond the expected. Something new and great began making itself felt from the very start. In her greetings, Chiara Lubich confirmed the impression that everyone had in their heart. “I think an unknown horizon is being thrown wide open before us.” Cardinal Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay was present at the opening, as well as Mons. Felix Machado who represented the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. “The various scholars profoundly expressed their traditions and convictions in a climate of openness and brotherhood,” explained Prof. Giuseppe Zanghì, co-head of the Focolare Movement’s Centre for Interreligious Dialogue. “Everything was carried out at a high academic level, while at the same time was penetrated and nourished by an intense spirituality. Truly, we were mutually enriched. On our part, we were introduced into an ancient culture that certainly holds human treasures, but not only human. I am not afraid to acknowledge that it also contains important divine wealth as well, which we need to make our own so that dialogue is sincere.” The Focolare Movement’s Centre for Interreligious Dialogue organized the symposium together with Prof. Kala Acharya. Future Prospects The President of the Somaiya University and son of the founder, Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya: “Chiara will be coming to visit India in January 2003. There is continual progress in our relations as well as a profound unity and reciprocal love. Dialogue is at the top of the agenda for the Third millennium. I am certain that Religions will learn to understand each other as well as live and work together for humanity’s benefit. This is the objective.” Dr. Kala Acharya: “What we have started will certainly have a following, and I am sure it will flourish.” Prof. Zanghì: “A window has been opened, a reality which will have important developments. ” Interesting first fruits: A representative of the Rissho Kosei-kai Japanese Buddhist Movement was present as an observer. A similar encounter with Buddhists is being projected for 2003. An Audience with the Pope On Wednesday, June 19, the participants of the Symposium were present at the Pope’s General Audience in the Paul VI Hall. The Pope greeted them and a group photo was taken. Who is the Pope for the Hindus? Dr. Somaiya: “He is a great spiritual leader.” Dr. Kala Acharya: “For the Hindus, a Saint is a Saint. It is something that goes beyond religious boundries … And the Pope is the great Saint whom I respect.” (from an interview with Vatican Radio)