IS HALF AND HALF THE ANSWER?
And the multitude asked him (John the Baptist) “What shall we do?”
And he answered them, “Those who have two coats,
let them share with the one who has none,
and they who have food, let them do likewise” (Lk:3:10-11).
In the above scripture text, the people are listening to John the Baptist. When moved to repent, they ask what they must do. Immediately, John points to matters of justice. This is not something new to anyone in the Jewish faith. Their prophets frequently reminded them of the importance of Justice and Jesus himself quotes from Isaiah to explain his role: He has sent me to bring good news to the poor … to set the downtrodden free (Lk 4:18). Living justly is at the heart of conversion to Christ.
An event in the life of St Martin of Tours enforces this message. Martin lived in the 3rd century and the cover picture of this book tells the story.
Martin, while still preparing for baptism, came across a person in the middle of winter, freezing from lack of clothing. Martin then removed his cloak, cut it in half with his sword and presented one half to the man. Later that night, Martin had a vision of Christ saying: “Martin, a mere catechumen has clothed me”.
We might ask, why did Martin not give away the whole cloak? To that we could reply, ‘There would be little point in him freezing to death as well. By splitting his cloak in half he would still live, and so would the person in need’.
What Martin did for this man leads me to the Māori proverb:
Nau tō rourou, naku tō rourou, ka ora ai te manuhiri:
From your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.
In the picture below, the third basket is what is distributed to the poor.
A half and half mentality would certainly solve our problems in regard to poverty and each side would have plenty. How we relieve people from poverty will vary according to the situation. What this proverb tells us is, when we share, the people will thrive.
The story of St Martin cutting his cloak in half is certainly a moving one. We can presume it was made of very practical material for the climate, enough to wrap around himself and more. He gave from his basket. But would not the receiver also have required food? Perhaps it were another kind soul who attended to that need. As well, would he not have needed shelter?
Martin had given what he could. Without food and shelter however, this person would not have been able to survive, hence the story is incomplete. Half and half is not the answer which only proves that what is needed must come not just from my basket, but yours as well, which is exactly how the Society of St Vincent de Paul operates. It depends all the time on something from my basket and something from yours and from yours!
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DISCUSSION:
Do New Zealanders, generally speaking, live by the saying: From my basket etc?
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PRAYER:
Generous God,
Our baskets are overflowing
Never let us rest content
While we
Give from ours
Until
All are
Satisfied
Secure
And able to thrive.
