EVEReady
When we get a
transfer to a new place, we carry our luggage, books and other work items
necessary for our ministry. When Jesus got a transfer to the earth, he came
with nothing. We would expect him to come with something extraordinary from
heaven, but he brought nothing along. That is because he knew he would find
everything he needed for his mission in our world itself. More than
introducing us to the spirit world, Jesus incarnated to introduce us to the
full possibilities of our world. Jesus knew very well that relationships
are the greatest resource and blessing. Therefore he entered as a child into a
family with Mary and Joseph and lived together with them. Human Relationships
are the greatest resource and blessing.
I decided to
better my relationship with my Christmas friend. I wanted to begin by giving
him a good Christmas gift. So I used Fr Maria’s android to google out some
gifts on sale. Christmas sales and offers at Amazon, Ebay, Big Bay, were
fabulous, but not reasonable. The other day, I went to the Divyadaan market to
hunt for some useful item. It did not help much, but I saw a pack of EVEReady
batteries. The word EVEReady remained in my mind as I hopped back to the brother’s
room. The quality of being EVEReady could serve as a wonderful medium to build
up and to enhance relationships and to add meaning to my Christmas celebration.
In fact, Jesus himself
was EVEReady. Jesus was ever ready to do God’s will – so he came down to us,
ever ready to heal the sick – miracles, ever ready to spend time with people
whom society ignored – sinners and poor, ever ready to give all that he had for
others – total generosity. He spontaneously helped those who approached him and
also others who did not. There is nothing higher or deeper than sincerely following
Jesus and live the way he lived.
Each of us comes
to celebrate Christmas in his/her own way; some full of happiness and
gratitude, others with worry and loneliness. How can we be EVEReady? When it
comes to purchases, a good number of people are rushing and racing at the speed
of light. But we ought to race at the speed of love. Look around. There are so
many individuals who are near us whose lives we can affect. We must
spontaneously care, be hospitable, be generous, be well mannered with our neighbours.
There are qualities more basic than our vows: to be honest, to respect
While trying to
be EVEReady, there are two questions that we need to be cautious about: one,
‘what will others think or say about me?’ and two, ‘what will I get out of it?’
These two questions paralyze our desire to reach out spontaneously to our
fellow humans. People will call you proud, boastful, and the like. But you
should be calm. Secondly, you will not be rewarded or appreciated for the mercy
you show others. Be calm once again. Our readiness and generosity is not to
attract people or to gain rewards, but to please God. That is our sole
motivation – nothing but you, O God.
So launch out. Take
a moment to look around to recognize him in those who do not have joy and peace
in their lives. Let us do the little within our means to alleviate the pain and
misery in their lives by at least saying a prayer for them or offering them the
little that we have. Let us do whatever we can to give them the hope that
triumph (JESUS) will one day wipe out the sadness in the hearts and bring
lasting joy.
Bosco Carvalho sdb
