Tower and Town, October 2017 (view the full edition)Clergy Letter: The Widow's MiteThe patterns of giving in our age have become very strange. All societies have their own traditions, but we seem to be developing elaborate exchanges that are becoming more burdensome both to the giver and to the receiver. At weddings, for example, there are now lengthy and usually expensive lists sent out by the engaged couple to those who have been invited to the celebration. This avoids their feared outcome of receiving fourteen toasters, and it does help the givers know that they are providing something of value to the couple, but it also takes away spontaneity and imagination. This is, of course, just the beginning of the matter. The couple now feel obliged to provide gifts from them to anyone who has helped them on their happy day, from parents and witnesses to bridesmaids and pageboys... the list can nearly grow to that of the size of the invited assembly. These patterns of behaviour quickly take hold and become social conventions and their influence seeps through and influences our children as well. So now Christmas, birthdays and other celebrations also have their code of giving. The letter to Santa has been superseded by clear messages to parents as to what is and is not acceptable. A recent article on the advantages and disadvantages of this development took the outrageously expensive demands in its stride. What it found most challenging was the request for a "surprise". When faced with the vast problems of our world we often plead our own helplessness and inadequacy. We cannot, on our own, feed the poor of the world or change violence to peace. Yet the existence of all our charitable organisations, Christian Aid and CAFOD as two brilliant examples, are based on the fact that it is every little that counts. The work of such charities is made possible by those of us who are not put off by our own lack of greatness or wealth, but give generously from the little we have. It is out of that little that the poor of the world are healed and fed. When we offer to help, even in the most insignificant way possible, we make the love of Christ that bit more present in our world. At such moments, as Saint Paul teaches, nothing comes between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus Our Lord.John Blacker |