Cure for Curmudgeon-liness: All He Asks is Love

What a great example......

The widow gave all that she had to God. Hearing about what she did is a cure for what ails us spiritually.

Mk 12,38-44.

"In the course of his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Sometimes I find myself in a place where I want more.... or perhaps just something different. You know the feeling.... things just aren't the way they "should be." In my olden days I would have just said to myself (or to others) , "Too bad... tough, isn't it? Now just get over it."

But our God is a gentle God, a God of giving and example and the small things made great. So, we get to see inside God's soul through the actions of a poor widow.

Saint Anselm (1033-1109), Monk, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Letter 112 to Hugh the Recluse

"In the kingdom of heaven, everyone together and as one single person will be one single king with God, for all will want only one thing and their wish will be fulfilled. From the height of heaven, this is the good thing God declares to be on offer.

If someone wonders what it costs, this is the answer: the one offering a heavenly kingdom, does not need any earthly money. No one can give God anything other than what already belongs to him, since everything that exists is his. Nevertheless, God does not give something so great without putting a price on it. God does not give it to the person who doesn’t appreciate it. For nobody gives something that is dear to him, to someone who does not value it.

Therefore, although God does not need your goods, he also does not have to give you something so great, if you do not deign to love it.

All he asks is love, without which nothing obliges him to give anything. So love, and you will receive the kingdom. Love, and you will possess it… So love God more than yourself, and you will already begin to have what you wish to possess completely in heaven."