The Abundance that is Love

In a deeply moving scene in the film, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” Francesco of Assisi makes a public declaration of Love in the city square, peeling of his clothes in front of the bishop, his parents, his relatives and friends, and the general populace quietly saying, “I want to be a beggar. Christ was a beggar.” He returns his clothes to his parents thanking them for their love and he exhorts the people to let go of the things of the earth and be as the birds of the air who fly towards God each day, joyful and free, unworried about how they will eat, but simply and wonderfully trusting in God.

Each Christmas season we seem to have our minds on prosperity as we undertake activities designed to increase this for ourselves and others. We purchase or make and bestow gifts on others while anticipating what we will receive in return. We envy those who are able to give more or simply have more, as some children unabashedly show on their faces or actions. We surround ourselves with glitter and gifts, secure in the knowledge that happiness equals prosperity. We may be happy but are we joyful? We know in our minds that money does not buy joy but do we know this in our hearts?

As we go through the year to come there will be occasions for many to worry about money, either the lack of it or the care and management of it. It would be well in those times to quietly close your eyes and shed the heavy clothing of attachment to your worries. In your mind’s eye, step out of your clothes and fly through the air soaring towards the Source in prayer and ecstatic joy and Love as Francesco did. Trust as the birds and the angels trust. And know in your heart of hearts that you are forever loved and that you will never be abandoned.

Looking at the image in the belen this season, remember with Francesco that Christ was a beggar. And it was precisely because he was a beggar, without possessions or the need for them, that he was able to love himself more fully and thus love others. May we let go of the need for the things of the earth this Christmas season and always so that we may have more space in our hearts for the true abundance that is Love.

A blessed Christmas to all.