Two Tunics

The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." – Luke 3: 9-11

This is John the Baptist talking to a crowd of folks who have come to the wilderness to be baptized by him. He is telling them how they need to live in insure their salvation. Of course this is directly in line with what Jesus will say soon regarding loving your neighbor as yourself.

Yesterday I talked about how at times, when we have our hearts and minds focused only on ourselves, we can hurt others. John is speaking to that here.

There are so many people around us who need help. And there are so many of us who have so much abundance in our lives.

Help doesn’t have to come out of our pockets in the form of cash. Sometimes the best help can be donating our clothing, or helping out at a soup kitchen, or volunteering at a home for the elderly.

The amazing thing about giving is that it always gives back. When we give we are exercising love. And each time we exercise that muscle we become more and more like God. Our capacity to give and love increases making room also for a greater capacity to receive.

So look around your house and apartment. Look at your weekly calendar. Maybe you have a tunic or two to give.

Today’s Reading: Joshua 22-24; Luke 3