«But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them» (Luke 6:32).
THANKSGIVING WAS APPROACHING, and the last thing Linda wanted to do was celebrate it. Since her father’s death, that holiday had lost its appeal. Then came the divorce and moving into a smaller apartment due to financial limitations. «Give thanks for what?» she wondered.
The problem was that at her work, people kept asking her, «What are your plans for Thanksgiving?» Not to go into detail, Linda would just say, «Maybe I’ll invite a few people to my home.» But she knew she had no guests, nor did she intend to have any.
Her plan worked perfectly until Jessica, a young woman whom she had always considered «sweet and innocent,» came on the scene. Jessica had no one to share that special holiday with.
«Linda, my family lives far away,» Jessica said. «Is there room for me at your
Thanksgiving dinner? I can bring the creamed corn.»
Linda felt the floor move underneath her. But how could she say no?
Now Linda had a problem. Jessica was going to make creamed corn for an army, but there were no guests except for Jessica, of course. Without thinking twice, Linda went to the supermarket and bought plenty of food. She called several organizations to ask them to help her invite people who had nowhere to eat on that special day. She invited neighbors and found chairs she could borrow from a funeral home.
That day, when everything was ready, Jessica arrived first with her creamed corn casserole. Then came a friend. Behind that friend, a Russian neighbor who hardly spoke English. Then a Chinese student from a nearby school. Later, two soldiers in uniform. In the end, fifteen people came, most of them unknown to her. Within minutes, everyone was talking, laughing, and, of course, eating.
Then Linda addressed the group: «I’m very grateful,» she said, «because you have helped make this a very special Thanksgiving.» And while her «guests» ate and laughed, Linda quietly thanked God for the people, the food, and also for the chairs.»
» ‘But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?’ » the Lord asked in the Sermon on the Mount. » ‘For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.’ » What do you think, then, if today we try to «do good» without focusing on who? In this way, we will have a great reward in heaven and be children of the Most High, who is «kind to the unthankful and evil» (Luke 6:32—35).
Heavenly Father, please enable me today to treat others as I would like to be treated; and to be compassionate to my neighbor, just as You are to me.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
