Have You Cheated Someone?
Jesus tells us: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” And I think for the most part all of you do just that. I learn a lot at funerals. I love to listen to the stories people share about their deceased loved ones. Some of the phrases I hear are:
He would give you the shirt off his back. She would always make an extra hotdish for the funeral luncheon. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. When I brought friends home from school there would always be treats for everyone.
All examples of people doing for others. Whether they hoped someone would do for them or not I do not know. Therefore, we should consider a gospel from the other point of view, too. In this case, allowing people to do things for you. Do willingly accept others doing things for you? Are you willing to accept a helping hand? Sometimes I offer to carry a heavy box for someone only to be told they can do it themselves. I feel cheated of not being able to help someone. Or I offer to buy lunch but am told my money is not good enough. Again, I feel cheated of the opportunity to pay back in gratitude.
I understand there is a fine line between offering help and accepting help – graciously. When we accept help from someone, we give them an opportunity to do for us that we would want to do for them. To always turn down help cheats that person of this opportunity. Pray to the Holy Spirit asking for that virtue of wisdom to know when to accept help from others.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen