The Scandal of Grace

Yesterday in Human Rights class, our guest speaker, Justin Narducci, was discussing ideas on giving to the poor. While we were talking about begging and whether or not to give to beggars, Justin brought up a situation that he was involved in.

A man came up to Justin while he was shopping in a grocery store and explained that money was needed so that he would be able to buy his daughter something to eat. Justin then told the man that whatever he needed from the store and to meet him towards the front at the register. The man did exactly as he said, and Justin paid for the things he collected.

A few moments later, Justin went to pick up the mail for the organization he works for and saw the man at a gas station with a woman, but there was no child in the car. Justin had just spend $25 dollars on a man who lied to him. Does he have a right to be angry?

My initial reaction was to be upset and hurt. This guy had just received a fair amount of compassion, but was lying about the situation. He only manipulated Justin to receive more for himself. However, as a follower of Christ, I am called to live my life simply, and with amounts of sacrifice to love on my brothers and sisters struggling on Earth. Luke 6:30 says, "give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." Some may see this as hyperbole, or shock language, but I am not too sure. If we are all brothers and sisters in this world of crap, would it not be as if someone from my family had taken my items. Would I not be ok if objects I thought were "stolen" were actually still within the walls of my house?

The situation that Justin presented me reminded me of the Scandal of Grace. God sent His son Jesus to die for us right? He became the bridge so that many may cross into salvation. Jesus received the punishment that we all deserved for our sin, and we have received the life that He deserved. Is it fair? Not by any circumstance, but it happened, and it happens. Giving grace is going to hurt...a lot, but if we truly love our brothers and sisters, we will give. Mother Theresa was quoted as saying, "Give until it hurts, and then give some more." We are called to a higher level of life than just giving to those who we can expect to receive from. We are called to create a scandal of love and grace. A scandal that goes against us and the things that we may initially believe it. It will take work, and it will hurt a lot. Yet, the scandal is what will save us.