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The Gift

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THE GIFT

As she entered her home, she excitedly exclaimed in a loud shriek, “Wow! What has happened?” Gazing at the renovated kitchen and dining room, her mouth was wide open in joyous disbelief and astonishment, while her eyes took in the entire site with a stunned, uncomprehending look. She shouted to her husband who was trailing behind, “What happened during our weekend at Mom’s house?” Still not comprehending what had occurred during their time away from the home, she joyfully wandered through the home, examining the new floor, the beautiful modern appliances, the renovated sink, the new lightening, and lastly the attractive new dining room table and chairs. Her joy at what she was seeing was only exceeded by her desire to understand how all of this occurred in one weekend. She turned to her husband and with a look that cried for an explanation, all the time asking with her eyes, “talk to me, tell me what this is all about.” His reply was short and direct, “I love you. It is my gift to you.”  He needed to say no more. Those words were worth as much or more than the gift itself.

Love is such a powerful emotion, begetting all sorts of gifts and actions. The husband knew his wife had been struggling for years to provide meals for the family in an antiquated kitchen with limited space and appliances. However, she did the best she could. Now that he began to experience financial success in his business, he wanted to repay her for all her efforts and love. Her joy with her new facilities was exceeded only by his joy in seeing her so happy. They both had been giving the gifts of themselves to each other…. and to their children.

Gifts come in many different forms; a word of praise, a look of appreciation, a college fund for the children, a helping hand to a stranger, or just being there for a sick friend. Almost always the gifts are initiated by a strong love and concern for another. Love always is concerned about someone or something outside of one’s self. Love is not material, but rather spiritual.

Since love is the greatest gift one can give to another, what is the most significant gift of love known to man? Simple. It is God’s gift of Himself to mankind! Think about….God the Almighty, personal, all-knowing, eternal, loving One loves us. He knows each one of us by name and cares for us individually. He has offered to unite us with Himself in the next life, the eternal happiness of love. However, He did not stop with just an offer of eternal happiness; he wiped clean all of our iniquities by sending His son as payment for the debt we owe Him. Through Jesus He made us co-heirs to heaven, Paradise. Not stopping there, He continued his loving help by creating His church as our teacher and guide. He showered us with the gifts of His Sacraments, particularly in Confession and the Eucharist. He did not limit us to specific resources; He is always available for private talks through individual prayer….at any time. The gifts keep coming. He loves us.

How will we attain God’s great gift of love, that is unity with Him? Simple, follow His example of love, follow Jesus Christ and the teacher Christ gave us, His Church. (But please no compromises, be passionate for Him, lukewarm will not do it.)

Clarity

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CLARITY

The dictionary definition of the word clarity is “clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding; freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity.” Or to state it in another manner, clarity is “the state or quality of being clear or transparent to the eye or mind.” When decisions are required, all people claim to seek clarity regarding the issues involved in the decision making process. It is a great benefit for individuals to be able to discern precisely the issue or decision presented to them. Unfortunately, clarity frequently escapes people, resulting in decisions being made that actually prevent people from achieving their objectives. Clarity or clearness is elusive. Unfortunately, in many instances, the lack of clarity occurs because people are more comfortable with ambiguity; to some this lack of clearness seems to provide an escape from the responsibility for the outcome of their decision.

Often individuals have a vested reason to obscure clarity from another individual. A salesman for a television product may receive a greater commission if he obtains an order for a newer version of the television, even though the customer is really interested in a basic and lower costing product. It is to the advantage of the salesperson to confuse the customer to change the customer’s vision of clarity to a different product. Thus throughout all of our daily lives there are forces and individuals who seek to cloud a person’s view of clarity.

As much as they pontificate about the clarity and rightness of their positions on political issues, few, if any, politicians really desire to present to their constituents a clear picture of their position on issues. They prefer ambiguity. Since they want to appeal to a large cross section of the voting public, many politicians purposely try to confuse the public about their positions on important issues. Clarity in politics is almost non- existent. It is very difficult for the individual voter to fully understand the precise issue at hand and the position of any particular politician.

On the other hand, possessing a clear unequivocal view of an issue often presents an individual with a clear choice that has to be made…. must be made. Frequently an individual comes face to face with the clearness of an issue when he is presented with a clear choice…possibly a choice he does not want to face. Often, in these instances, he would prefer ambiguity and confusion so as to avoid making a choice.  In the case of the taking of a life of an unborn child, it is clear that the child is a human being. Thus when one proposes to end the life of the unborn human being, one must face the reality that one is killing another human being…one who possesses the genes of the mother and father. In cases such as these, the individual does not want to face the clarity of the issue; it is too difficult to admit the ending of a life of the innocent. Thus clarity is avoided at all cost.

Thus real clarity faces several obstacles.

  • The desire of one or more persons to obstruct real clarity.  I.e. politicians, abortionists, etc.
  • The desire of an individual to avoid clarity because of the difficult choices that the individual may want to avoid.
  • An inability of the individual to have the necessary information to form a clear picture of the issue.

On many occasions, when a person or an organization presents a clear picture of an issue or idea for acceptance or rejection, they are met with hostility. Many people do not want to face the fact that their positions on an issue may be untenable under a clear examination. Others just do not want to tolerate any position that is counter to their own. Emotion often takes over and hatred commences for the individual or organization that is presenting clarity and the clear choices that must be faced. Frequently the hatred becomes vitriolic and violent.

An organization that offers clarity in it teachings and thus encounters the most hatred and opposition is the Catholic Church.  Many people hate the Catholic Church because its teachings on God, Jesus Christ, sin, hell, abortion, marriage, and numerous other issues are clear. These teachings force people to directly meet the prime issues of life, which often directly challenge their own beliefs and values. Even individuals within the Church, including people in senior clerical and lay positions, tremble at the clarity of the Church’s teachings on key issues. Thus rather than making a decision to accept the teaching or leaving the Church, they attempt to obfuscate the issue so as to appear to be in harmony with the Church’s official teaching, while, in fact, attempting to confuse the issue.

Clarity offers individuals the opportunity to contemplate an issue directly and then make a decision on it. However, in far too many issues, people would prefer obfuscation and confusion to clarity. They can avoid the real issue … their own unwillingness to accept the consequences of making a decision. A true Catholic will learn the teachings of the church regarding fundamental matters of faith and morals and make decisions based upon the clear unequivocal teachings of the church.  However, far too many “Catholics” do not want to accept the clarity offered by the Church’s magisterium. Oh, cowards that we are!