Advent: a season
of repentance. For beginners, we could look at greed. Greed of Empire. Personal
greed. Even greed of space.
It’s famously more
blessed to give than to receive, and charity’s a word of bad repute. Why? What’s
the relationship between justice and moderation? How to avoid ostentation?
Generosity depends on having. What’s the cost to the receiver? What’s taken
away? What obligation purveyed? What conditional love displayed? Is this gift
really necessary?
Many motivations
and intentions. You can give time, strength and attention. Everybody wants your
attention, can’t get enough. Much of it in grievous situations. Grief on the
move. And harmony, the resolution of discord, that must be led back over and
over, in progressions.
The obligation is
not to the receiver, but the giver. It will test your values. There’s no top to
the pile of causes stacking up on my desk, appealing for money and support.
What’s the relationship between courage and wisdom? How best to relieve suffering? Or nourish, or
inspire? Which most appropriate decisions can you make, knowing the others have
a right to your help? (As you to theirs.) Christmas present is love for me and
thee and they.
