more
“How much more”
Jesus’ store of goods is also named ‘MORE’. Here also we can get more than what we pay for. We can get even without paying for it. All the essential items in his store are free. Just come in with our baskets and collect as much as we need. There is enough for the needs of all.
But there are a few rules. We cannot waste, horde or pollute. We cannot snatch what belongs to another. The market at times runs short because there are few who try to satisfy their greed rather than their need. They horde, waste, pollute, takes what belongs to another. These actions are against the rule.
For luxury and cosmetic goods, one has to pay. Some of these luxury goods are neither helpful nor essential, instead, some of them are harmful. We are given a choice We can opt to go to the faraway country to live among the pigs and consider that as happiness or prefer the father’s house. The owner respects our choice. He is not responsible for our choice. The labels are clear on what is good and what is harmful. Good and essential items are free. Luxury goods are available but may be harmful. We have the choice.
The air we breathe, the water we drink, the sunshine, all these essential items are given free. We can have as much as we need. But we cannot store to satisfy our greed or pollute or destroy. That is against the rule.
When the prodigal son returned, he was hoping, he would be received back as a hired worker. He hoped to find accommodation in the servant’s quarters and eat their food. But the Father gives him a ring and a robe and sandals and restores him as a son and kills the fattened calf and callsfor a celebration. Father gives far ‘MORE’ than the son ever hoped for.
The last comers in the parable of the vineyard hoped to get perhaps one-fourth of the wages but they were pleasantly surprised when they got a full day’s wage and went home singing. “ How much MORE the father gives…”
In the parable of the Banquet, those who were invited at the last moment from the lanes and by lanes hoped for the left-overs and a place at the servants' quarters but they were surprised to be given wedding garments and seated in the wedding hall and served the best items as much as they wanted. “ How much MORE the father gives… “
Peter asked Jesus the question, “We have left everything and followed you, what will we have?”. In reply , Jesus promises a hundred percent in this life and everlasting life in the next. What more can we ask for ?
Peter gave his boat to Christ to sit and preach from and in return, he got a boat full of fish. A fisherman could not have asked for more.
The Samaritan woman gave Christ a bucket of water and in return she gets a perennial spring. What more could she be given in a parched waterless place. “ How much MORE the father gives…”
At Cana the servants filled the jars with water and in place of water they get fresh new old wine ,“up to the brim”.
The boy gave two fish and five barley loaves to Jesus and in return he gets twelve baskets full after five thousand had been fed. “ How much MORE the father gives… “
“ Give there will be gifts for you” Jesus says, “ shaken together pressed down, running over, will be poured into you lap “
“Ask and it will be given…Search and you will find…knock and the door will be opened…”
“ What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, HOW MUCH MORE, will the heavenly Father give to those who ask him!” Lk.11.13
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