Giving Until It Hurts
“I want to give, but I don’t know how much it’s going to hurt.”
I heard this phrase several times from students as our school tried to fill all the open blood drive slots. It’s a very legitimate concern from teens who had never given blood, or maybe don’t remember the last time they were poked by a needle.
Nonetheless, more teens than we expected were willing to courageously step forth and give blood. Others even added to their units previously donated. Despite not knowing how much it was going to hurt, they still gave.
This witness of giving until it hurts is incredibly and authentically Christian. Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing example!
Our school’s blood drive wasn’t the only act of giving that opened my eyes recently. Every direction I’ve turned this week, I’ve seen people giving their all. October has given many of us plenty of opportunities to give of ourselves.
And yet, we are called to give as Christians.
I really just want to give a shoutout to all of you who are giving until it hurts. Giving until it hurts doesn’t have to mean being poked with a needle, of course. Each of us gives, and thanks be to God, we were made to give and have the capacity to give. In giving, we take away or use a portion of ourselves to benefit others. Giving could be giving of our time, our prayers for others, our gifts and talents, our money, our gratitude for others, our material possessions, or our listening ears.
When we give as Christians, it’s fundamentally giving of our love. But also when we give, we may be building our patience, giving up a bit of our pride, increasing in humility, seeking peace, and sharing our kindness with others. Giving allows us to grow in virtue.
As if that isn’t reason enough to give, scientific studies even show how the human brain responds more positively when a person gives than when a person receives. There is a greater physiological response when we give than when we get something. More evidence that we were made for this!
Today’s first reading from St. Paul to the Ephesians is full of encouragement. St. Paul is all about building up the Church, fostering unity under God, and encouraging people to use the gifts that Christ gave them for the good of all:
“I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love” (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Thank you to all of you who give, and even give until it hurts. You inspire me to keep giving. May we all continue to give in the manner or vocation to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love.