Without Cost

Homily for Saturday of the First Week in Advent

In yesterday’s homily, I tried to make the point that gifts are given to us so that we can share them with others. God never gives us a gift or of grace for us alone. St. Paul makes this point eloquently in writing to the Corinthians. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” He goes on to enumerate the many different gifts that God has bestowed on them: the gifts of wisdom and knowledge, the gifts of healing and prophecy, and the gifts of discernment and understanding. Each of these gifts is to be used as they minister to one another. Each gift is for the benefit of the community rather than the individual.

The Gospel text for today closes with the very important admonition: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” We have all received numerous gifts that cost us nothing from God’s providential care. Jesus is adamant that as we have not been charged for these gifts, neither are we to expect payment when we share them with others.

One of the television programs that I have enjoyed in the past is something called, “The Antiques Road show.” People bring the many items that they have found stored in their attics, or which have been passed down to them by their ancestors. When asked why they have brought them, most respond that they want to learn more about them. However, it is very clear from the very beginning that the most important thing they want to know about them is how much they are worth. The appraisers usually begin with the words, “At auction…”

When Jesus sees the people who have come to him for healing, and to be cured of their many diseases, he looks upon them with great compassion. He then turns to his Apostles and sends them to the lost sheep of Israel with the power and authority to expel demons, and to cure every disease and illness. “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.” Imagine what someone with those gifts and the authority to use them might be able to charge others for them. Lepers would probably give them their life’s savings to be cured. Parents would impoverish themselves to have their children raised from the dead. However, Jesus is clear: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

During this Advent season we continue to watch for the arrival of our Messiah. However, we cannot be idle while we watch. We must continue to spread the Good News of Jesus. Stay awake! Be alert! Watch! Not only should we be watching for Jesus to come, we should be alert to all the situations that need our intercession, that need our compassion, that need our care. This is why Jesus has been given to us in the Eucharist so that we might continue to give him to our neighbors.