Sacrifice and Success (Feast of St Lawrence, Aug. 10)

The Psalmist says that “It goes well for the man who gives generously and lends” (Ps. 112:5a). And according to St Paul, “he who sows bountifully will harvest bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6b). Sometimes, it is good we rethink certain words or expressions we use in order to understand what they really mean. In this case, the context of this discussion on giving is Christianity: Christian Giving – that is, giving “FOR THE SAKE OF GOD; FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST”. When we say that “WE GIVE FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST”, what do we mean? Not just GIVING, but GIVING FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST! What is it all about? Now, we look at the word “GIVE” from Christ’s perspective! We can equally ask: What is Christ’s own understanding of the word “GIVE”? How did he show us by his life what it means to give? The life of Jesus teaches us that GIVING is DYING. He ultimately gave us Himself to the point of suffering and dying for our sake. So, we may say that the CONCEPT OF GIVING according to Jesus is inseparably tied up with the CONCEPT OF SACRIFICE. Probably, this is the understanding that David had when he exclaimed that HE CAN’T GIVE TO GOD WHAT COSTS HIM NOTHING (2 Sam. 24:24). If I offer God what costs me nothing, then I have offered nothing.

Yes, it pains to give, but the rewards are great, if not in this life but in the world to come. And this is what St Paul carefully explains to the people of Corinth that he who sows or gives bountifully will also reap bountifully. Every act of cheerful and voluntary giving, not reluctant giving, must cost something; and that is why it is an act of sacrifice. Christ willingly gave himself for you; and this became His supreme act of sacrifice. And the Bible tells us that this sacrificial offering of himself on the cross brought about his glorification. A grain of wheat that generously and completely gives itself to the ground and dies comes up to bear much fruit for harvest. At one end is sacrifice; at the other end is glory. At one end is giving or sowing bountifully; at the other end is bountiful harvest. And that is why it is very interesting to know that that the word “SACRIFICE” comes before “SUCCESS” in the dictionary.

We celebrate St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. He was known for his generosity and kindness to the people especially the poor. At the time when the Church was going through bitter persecutions, the persecutors were ransacking churches and going away with sacred vessels and great treasures of the Church. It is narrated that the persecutors asked Lawrence to hand over the treasures of the Church (the sacred vessels and the rest). And he brought the poor to them as the treasures of the Church. This got them infuriated and they killed him by roasting him to death. This is another example of someone who ultimately gave himself for the sake of Christ who lives in the poor. His act of sacrifice brought him a heavenly success. His service to the poor made him great in heaven. Let us always remember that a great or beautiful life does not just happen. It goes well for the man who gives generously and lends.

When we give, let us not look at the immediate benefits. Rather, we should look at the far-reaching benefits that accumulate for us in Christ. We gather up treasures for ourselves in heaven by giving generously to the poor on earth. Our charity must cost us something; it must be sacrificial. The charity that is not dotted by sacrifice is futility.