Enough

“If we profess the same faith and are really eager to follow in the clear footprints left by Christ when He walked on this earth, we cannot be content merely with avoiding doing unto others the evil that we would not have them do unto us. That is a lot, but it is still very little when we consider that our love is to be measured in terms of Jesus' own conduct.” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 222).

Saint Peter Healing the Sick with his Shadow (Unknown)

The other day someone who is dear to me upset me very much.

This person upset me in a way that she has upset me before.  It was not the first time or even the worst time that she had upset me.  And yet, this time it felt so awful that I did not want to continue to speak to her again.  I did not want to interact with her anymore.  I did not want to give her another chance – and to be fair to me – she was not asking for another chance.  This person had upset me terribly and was – without remorse – continuing to upset me going forward.  Nothing that I did could appeal to this person’s sense of honour or mercy or kindness.  She had simply decided to do something that was hurtful and that was it.  Now, perhaps in her own mind she justified this decision as necessary?  Perhaps she considered that I deserved this affront?  Perhaps she thought that I was in need of some insult?  Or perhaps she thought it should not have been insulting at all?

All I know for sure is that I was very very upset and hurt by this person and I was decided that I would not associate with her any longer.

And then I thought about Christ.  Christ loves completely.  Christ does not ever love us enough.  He never says – “Enough!  I have given enough!”  He never puts a cut off on things.  Instead, He loves us completely and forever…

This means that I will never forgive enough or love enough for God’s standard.

“If we profess the same faith and are really eager to follow in the clear footprints left by Christ when He walked on this earth, we cannot be content merely with avoiding doing unto others the evil that we would not have them do unto us. That is a lot, but it is still very little when we consider that our love is to be measured in terms of Jesus' own conduct. Besides, He does not give us this standard as a distant target, as a crowning point of a whole lifetime of struggle. It is — it ought to be, I repeat so that you may turn it into specific resolutions — the starting point, for Our Lord presents it as a sign of Christianity: ‘By this shall all men know that you are my disciples.’” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 222-223).

And I have been thinking about that today, because I have been asked to give – not a lot – but ENOUGH.  And I have been told what enough is by the very actions of my Saviour.  Enough is EVERYTHING.  For Christ gave so much of Himself that there was nothing left to give.  He gave until the last drop of blood and water flowed from His Side.  That is enough.  That is enough for me to give.  May God grant me the Grace to give following the example of my Beloved…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.