Today being the feast day of St. Ambrose, here’s a quote from one of his pastoral letters – as Bishop of Milan – addressed to the (particularly rich) widows under his care. Expounding on the so-called ‘widow’s mite’ of Luke 11:3, Ambrose demonstrates his attitude towards those who are less fortunate:
We are taught how fitting it is to be merciful and liberal towards the poor, and that this feeling should not be checked by the consideration of our poverty, since liberality is determined not by the amount of our possessions, but by the disposition of giving.
This is no smoke-and-mirrors trick. While many good shepherds preach it, this Saintly Bishop lived it. Soon after his election to the See of Milan (and his subsequent baptism and ordinations), he gave the majority of what he had to the poor, preferring to live a much simpler lifestyle than that of his earlier life as a statesman for the Roman Empire. As a priest/bishop, he provides us clergy an example, an ideal to strive for in our own struggles with evangelical simplicity and poverty.
He also has something to say about those who are poor. Even they have little, they too are to give, for even in their poverty, what they give is worth so much more.
I am challenged by his exhortation to be ‘liberal’ with the poor. Especially as I encounter some of the truths of giving charity to the poor: that I will be taken advantage of. Case in point: last month a homeless man needed ‘cash’ to pay for a 3-night stay at a bunkhouse run by a shelter-type-place. I told him I could write a check. Before writing it, I called the place, asking them if they would accept a check. They would from me or the parish, which was fine. I wrote the check, made the man a sack-lunch and sent him on his way, thinking that I had done my good deed for the day. Now for ‘the rest of the story.’ This week, the shelter-place called to see if they should use the check that I had written a month ago. A MONTH ago! The impression that the man gave me was that he wanted to stay there that night, not one month later. I had been taken for a ride, but I decided to let the man stay there, since the money was ’spent’ already. What’s a mere $24…
It made me angry. I felt like a ‘patsy,’ having been taken advantage of. I resolved from that day onward never to give anything to any poor man who begs from me ever again. But, after reading what Ambrose wrote on being ‘liberal’ I was re-converted. Our work with the poor should be done regardless of even their ability to accept gifts given in kindness. Our generosity should still be the hallmark of what it means to be a Christian, a true disciple of Jesus.
Will I be taken advantage of in the future. I hope so. (Except for that cynical side of me that still perdures.) But I also hope that they are able to see God’s love even my simpleton-like willingness to give.
