Being Witnesses of Mercy – OFFER

One chapter at a time from the book by Nino Savarino, Governor of the Misericordia of Rosolini, friend of spazio + spadoni, and collaborator on various projects and the blog.

From Psalm 63 (62):

O God, you are my God; early will I seek you; my soul thirsts for you

Offering, a moment of encounter and mutual enrichment

Pope Francis says: “Brothers, sisters, let us ask ourselves: do I truly believe, by God’s grace, that I have something unique to give to my brothers and sisters, or do I feel anonymously ‘one among many’? Am I a protagonist of a good to be given? Am I grateful to the Lord for the gifts through which He continually manifests His love to me? Do I experience sharing with others as a moment of encounter and mutual enrichment?”.

“Let us go forth, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ… I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and which then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures. If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ”.

Offering to our brother inconveniences us, forces us to go look for him, and makes us step out of our selfish ego.

Offering does not diminish our material and human baggage: it is rather an addition, an enrichment.

Offering is a multiplier of goods. Our journey will be richer and far more beautiful if we offer what we have to the brothers and sisters we seek out along the path of life.

Do you know the story of the inheritance of the 17 camels?

Here it is.

It is said that long ago a wealthy, very sick sheikh decided to make a will and leave all his possessions, along with his 17 camels, to his three sons.

He decided to divide the camels as follows:

• the eldest son would receive 1/2 of the camels,
• the second would receive 1/3 of the camels, and
• the youngest would receive 1/9 of the camels.

He also instructed that the camels must remain alive.

The sheikh died. After the burial, the sons began arguing about how to divide the inheritance according to their father’s wishes.

The firstborn said: “I am entitled to half of the camels, which is 8 and a half camels”.

The second son added: “I am entitled to 1/3 of the 17 camels, which is 5.6”.

The third son concluded: “According to our father’s will, I am entitled to 1/9 of the 17, which is 1.9”.

What could be done? Each would have had to cut up a camel. The three brothers tried repeatedly to divide the camels without success, and none wanted to give anything up.

A traveler passed by and, learning of the issue, decided to give them his only camel—the one he was traveling with. Thus, the inheritance became 18 camels, and the division could begin.

The first of the three sons received half of the 18 camels, which was 9 camels.

The second son inherited 6 camels, which was one-third of the total.

Finally, the youngest son received 2 camels, equal to one-ninth of 18.

After the division, the wanderer pointed out to the sheikh’s sons that the sum of the camels distributed was 17 (9+6+2=17).

Since 18 camels were used for the calculation, one remained: the traveler’s own camel. He took it back and was able to continue his journey.

Offering what is yours is never a disadvantage!

What can we do concretely?

Giving drink to the thirsty

Water, God’s precious gift for all living beings. Water with all its evocative power: life-giving water; cleansing water; water, the ultimate synonym for purity; water, a vital necessity for existence. Today the entire world is thirsty—and for many things.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” Jesus proclaims on the mountain. The world is thirsty for just that: for justice, because so many socioeconomic situations have nothing to do with justice. Water is called peace.

And finally (not least in importance): there is a thirst for tenderness and kindness, above all. It is necessary to “give drink to those thirsty” for love. Necessary for those near us, starting from the small family unit up to what could be defined as the wider structures of society: workplaces, schools, within the Church, and institutions of culture and education.

(Antonio Tarallo, March 16, 2023)

Points for reflection

“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'” (Matthew 26:27–28)

Source and image: Nino Savarino, Witnesses of Mercy