Jon Faila

Giving is the essence of what it means to be human.  It is what distinguishes us as unique amongst all of God’s creation.  Giving requires a conscious act of the will to do the exact opposite of what one’s instinct would demand.  Yet, there are different degrees of giving and different attitudes. There is begrudging giving, there is giving required of us by association such as with our employer, social groups, organizations, and religious affiliation.  There is giving out of abundance and there is giving that requires self-sacrifice.  We remember the parable of the widow’s mite, a woman who gave all that she had.  This was no ordinary act of giving, but one of great faith and one that could not have been achieved but by the gift the Holy Spirit. 

Giving then can be a type of spiritual martyrdom wherein we die to our selfish inclinations and in giving we find a glorious and heavenly crown uniting us with the saints.  With what love a grandmother lovingly dotes on and bestows her generosity upon her grandchildren; finding life within herself through her connection with that future generation. 

With what superhuman sacrifice did Jesus Christ Himself give up His life for us.  With that sacrifice he destroyed death by death.  In His resurrection, He has raised up all of humanity and made us partakers of His Divinity.  In this way, we can see that giving is no longer a choice that can or cannot be made but rather it is the lifeblood that flows through the very heart of humanity, edifying and nurturing the one body of creation in Christ Jesus.  Giving, therefore, is at its’ essence, life itself. 

by Jon Failla – Program Associate Director