"Put on Christ"

When a friend tells you to "put on" decent clothes for tonight's party, it plainly means to "get dressed in (fittingly)."

So, in the desire to look lovely as possible for such an occasion, we wear something that best embody us. It is so on account that what we wear and how we wear them, in most times, reflect who we are. In fact, just by wearing a religious habit, one gets the respect and the recognition embedded in such a habilament. In like manner, one is also encouraged to maintain the same amount of values a person earns simply from having it on.

But, to wear a thing on one's own body is one thing. Needing to "be enrobed" is another matter.

Why?

Because to "be clothed in" requires something more: 

to be unclothed;

to be undressed;

to be stripped;

to be naked.

For a person, beyond it's literal analysis, could not clothe himself unless he becomes bare and empty. And he could only do so if he knows exactly the purpose, the goal or the ultimate reason of wanting to be "clothed."

St. Augustine, for example, in his thirst for renewal, journeys inwardly to find that which "shelters" his heart. He does so in an agonising way. For he foreknows one painful truth: "the journey of returning traces the long and dark road back home."

And yet, as he foresees his fears and awaits for the inevitable to happen, he readies himself. 

Slowly, he "takes off his clothes" to vacate his heart, mind and soul. 

Through this, he allows himself to be filled.

To be revived.

To be changed.

To be new.

And finally, in the midst of his torment, confusion and "homelessness", he finds himself and God. He then realises that perfect happiness and love could only be attained through our Creator-- the Ultimate Good, the One on which all goods come from. Thereby he declares: "because you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You." (Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1)

Since then he is "Clothed in Christ." 🙏

24.11.2020

11:48 PM

"A You A Cheerful Giver?"

Ideally, a gift is anything that is given willingly to someone in absence of remission, a present of one's own accord. 

No conditions.

No prerequisites.

No constraints.

More than that, a gift is also that which binds both the giver and the receiver. For there is a special language, either by thoughts or emotions, that connect them in ways that they alone personally understand. Giving someone a withered leaf, for instance, may appear unusual to some, but to a friend who dearly loves the nostalgia of autumn, a bronzed foliole is an invaluable endowment. Hence, it reveals profoundly how a person is related to a recipient.

But, like all relationships, the act of gift-giving can also be examined further. For it could either intensify or weaken any emotional bond between persons, or perhaps, may even cause a misinterpretation, depending on the intention of the act. If one genuinely gives out of happiness or out of abundance, then the act becomes altruistic. After all, as Anne Frank famously writes: "no one has ever become poor by giving [wholeheartedly]." However, if done out of publicity, the gesture becomes hollow, unworthy of praise. The giver, eventually, may even feel arrogantly dominant over those in need. Also, although rare, the act of giving could be misunderstood. Coming from a distressed relationship, a person, for example, who happens to find joy in sharing his plentitude constantly to anyone, may find himself suspiciously scrutinised by his partner. Now annoyed with a strong bias against him, whatever he does is likely to be perceived or implied unfavorably; the act of giving is seen untowardly even if the intention is good. Thus, in no desire to put malice on such an act, the purpose is still misconstrued.

On that note, gift-giving, henceforth, reliant to intention, will either make us feel better or not. If the objective is significant, sensitively forethought and emotionally appropriate, then the gesture is worthy of commendation. If given selfishly to give rise to insecurities, repression, impartiality and emotional manipulation, the gift is of no value. 

Giving, above all, must not be done in an intent to return a favour nor to respond in kind. St. Paul in his letter to the Corinth reminds us that: "each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion[.]" 

So, like unconditional love, it must be sincerely expressed from within.

Free from expectations.

Unchanging.

Measureless.

Infinite.

Boundless.

It does not have to be reciprocated at all...

... "for God [simply] loves a cheerful giver." 

(2 Corinthians 9:7)

Are you? 😉

23.11.2020

10:58 PM

Digital Art by: Lot Jr Tabilid