The gift story

I was frustrated. I had spent the entire day shopping for friends who were very well off and could not find anything appropriate. I'd gone from store to store hoping that something would jump out at me, but nothing did. I went home feeling I had wasted a whole day.

The next day, I stopped by the local grocery store to buy some supplies for myself for Christmas. When I got to the checkout counter, I waited patiently as a young mother in front of me emptied her very full cart. Why do I always pick the lines with the fullest baskets? I asked myself, impatient to move on. Seems to be a talent I wish I could lose!

I watched, a little annoyed, as the mother continued to empty the cart. It was mostly full of groceries, but I noticed a couple toys as well. When it came time for her to pay, she handed the cashier a card. "This isn't enough," the cashier informed her as she swiped the card. The young woman quickly pulled out another card and swiped it. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I noticed she kept swiping the same card. "Debit?" asked the cashier. "Yes," she said and swiped it again.

I looked away, waiting for her to find what she needed. The woman rummaged through her purse without success. I heard her say, "My paycheck must not have come through yet," and saw her searching for money. Her hands were visibly shaking. I listened attentively now, as the woman found a couple twenties and handed them over. "You still owe twenty-one forty eight," the cashier said. The mother put her purse down and looked at her cart. Then she began pulling toys out of her cart and putting them back on the conveyer belt.

I suddenly realized what was up, and my inner spirit was awakened. I gave it a quick thought, and then took out my wallet, pulling out twenty-two dollars. I handed it to the cashier, who looked at me with surprise. I nodded towards the mother so the cashier knew it was to pay the balance. The cashier turned to the mother and said, "Honey, she's got the rest and she's paying for you." The mother stopped and slowly turned, looking at me with surprise. "You don't have to do this," she said quietly.  "I know," I replied. "I'm doing it because I want to. Merry Christmas." She turned away to put the toys back in her cart.

The cashier punched a button and the drawer opened. As she handed me my change, I noticed that the young mother was wiping tears from her cheeks. The cashier noticed too, and tears formed in her eyes. "You don't often see this," she said to the shopper behind me. "I've been a recipient of much kindness over the years," I told the cashier. "Now it's my chance to pass it on."  The mother turned and thanked me again. Then she pushed her cart forward and disappeared.

When I left the story after my own purchases, I felt that I was the one who had been given a gift. I had spent a whole day shopping for people who needed nothing. God let me find the person who really needed a gift. When I gave that gift to the mother who ran out of money, I felt that it was rather I who was gifted.

God gives us opportunities to give true gifts. We need just be open and ready.

Find your roots

O Root of Jesse says the O Antiphon for today. A sign for the people, before whom Kings remain silent.

What message can we take from today’s O antiphon? While thinking of yesterday’s gospel, I felt attracted to the thought of going inward, seeking meaning, and using reflection to create depth to one’s life. Now, I can see that such thoughts mirror the concept of roots…for roots seek depth.

There is less than a week before Christmas. When I take a look around, I see lights and decorations everywhere. I like that, for it fills my soul with the spirit of light, the spirit of Christmas, one filled with joy and hope and good feelings.

But I am coming to regard this Christmas season as offering almost the opposite of what should govern our spiritual lives. Jesus came out of mystery, as Romans 16:26 says: the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings--made known to all nations...

For me, to find my own mystery I must retrace my steps by traveling inward where all revelation is made manifest. What do I mean? God does speak to me. But I have not trained myself to be aware of the Voice. I look for signs, for lights, for outward things to give me feelings of warmth and joy.

I need to seek inward, in my own soul, for that same joy and warmth. I will find it when I uncover the revelation that awaits my discovery.

Jesus born in a stable is celebrated once a year. I can celebrate the revelation of the Divine Being every day, in my inner sanctum, in my soul, in my roots.

O Root of Jesse, who stood as a sign for the people, before you kings shall remain silent, and to you the Gentiles shall make supplication: come to deliver us, and do not delay. (O Antiphon for Dec. 19th)

Giving a true gift

The following is a true story shared with me:

"I was frustrated. I had spent the day shopping for friends who were rich and famous and had it all. I didn't know what to get them. I went from store to store hoping that something would jump out at me, but nothing did. I went home feeling I had wasted a whole day.

The next day, I stopped by the local store to buy some supplies for myself for Christmas. When I got to the checkout counter, I waited patiently as a young mother in front of me emptied her very full cart. Most of it was groceries, but she had gotten a couple of toys as well. When it came time for her to pay, she handed the cashier a card. "This isn't enough," the cashier informed her. The young woman pulled out another card and swiped it. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I noticed she kept swiping the same card. "Debit?" asked the cashier. "Yes," she said and swiped it again.

I looked away, but soon noticed she was rummaging through her purse. I heard her say, "My paycheck must not have come through yet," and saw her searching for money. Her hands were visibly shaking. I listened now, as the woman found a couple twenties and handed them over. It was not enough to pay the balance. "Twenty-one forty eight," the cashier said. The mother put her purse down and looked at her cart. Then she began pulling toys out of her cart and putting them on the conveyer belt.

Realizing what was up, I whipped out my wallet and pulled out twenty-two dollars. I handed it to the cashier, who looked at me with surprise. As I nodded towards the mother, she took my money. "Honey," she said to the mother, "she's got the rest and she's paying for you." The mother stopped and slowly turned. She looked at me with surprise and gratitude. "You don't have to do this," she said quietly.  "I know," I replied. "I'm doing it because I want to. Merry Christmas." She turned away to put the toys back in her cart.

The cashier punched a button and the drawer opened. As she handed me my change, I noticed that the young mother was wiping tears from her cheeks. The cashier noticed too, and tears formed in her eyes. "You don't often see this," she said to the shopper behind me. "I've been a recipient of kindness," I replied. "Now it's my chance to pass it on."  The mother turned and thanked me again. Then she pushed her cart forward and disappeared.

When I left, I felt that I was the one who had been given the gift. I had spent a whole day shopping for people who needed nothing. God let me find the person who really needed a gift. When I gave that gift to the mother who ran out of money, I felt that it was rather I who was gifted."

God gives us opportunities to give true gifts. We need just be open and ready.