I find some of the gospel quotes
are hard sayings. In Matthew 5:41 we read: Should anyone press you into
service for one mile, go with him for two miles. I feel that this advice
allows others to take advantage of me. Am I to allow it?
But I think my view misses the
point. I think the Gospel story intends to challenge me to look at my giving,
and see what prompts it.
I recently experienced the
receiving end. Someone reached out to me gratuitously. The thoughtful and
unexpected gesture moved me deeply. As I struggled to voice my "thank
you" the person simply said, "All I ask is that when you can, pass it
on."
Maybe that is what Jesus is
saying. Maybe all Jesus wants from us is to not forget to hand on what has been
shared with us. Maybe going the second mile means, you were forced into the
first. Let the second be your own good will. Let the second be willing. Let the
second be handing on.
I know for too long I felt I did
not have enough to hand on. I wanted to wait until I had excess. Then, I felt,
I could give. But meditating on this gospel verse, I realized I was wrong. In a
sense, by waiting, every time I did give, it was forced. Now, I want to give
freely, without waiting for my “excess.”
For what does it mean when I wait
for excess but that I think of giving as something outside of myself, like the
scraps I have left over that I can then offer to beggars. Maybe the second mile
means, giving is not a matter of excess. It is a matter of reaching down inside
of myself and giving from that inner resource. It is giving the way we do with loved
ones, from the heart, from our inner selves. And if I have to be forced to
realize that, do not stop there. Go the second mile.
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