I must be willing to give my Beloved everything – even my bacon – after all, that is what He did for me.
The other day, during his homily, our Parish Priest told a funny little anecdote to demonstrate a point he was making about commitment. And his story went something like this…
One day a chicken and a pig decided that they would do something to reward the farmer because they wished to give him something to show their appreciation for his care of them. And they began to discuss what they should do as part of this reward.
The hen suggested that they prepare the farmer a meal, and the pig was quick to agree. After some debate between them, they decided to prepare the farmer a delicious breakfast. And so, they began to think about what they could each contribute to the meal. The chicken quickly pointed out that she was happy to lay some eggs, and then she turned to the pig and said, “You could bring the bacon.”
The pig took a moment to think about that and responded after a minute, “You are giving a few eggs, but I am giving my life.”
And I have been thinking about this attitude to commitment over the last few days, because it has struck me that I am like the chicken in that story. It is easy for me to give a little – I am happy to give and I give freely – just not too much. Just not to become too uncomfortable. I give just a bit and then move on. I can offer a few eggs – they take a bit of my time, but not too much. I can offer things that do not disrupt me very much – after all I need to do them anyway – so it is no problem for me to offer those things anyway (they are part of my daily routine after all). But what about the other things? What about the bigger things and the more important things? What about the things that signify a sacrifice of my life? What of those? Where is my bacon?
After all, my Blessed Mother gave BACON, didn’t she? She gave everything in her commitment to Her Son. Not only her body and her time, but her pride and humility as well… “Then His mother and His brethren came to Him, but they could not reach Him for the crowd. And He was told, ‘Your mother and your brethren are standing outside, desiring to see you.’ But He said to them, ‘My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it.’” (Luke 8:19-21).
For the Mother of God followed God and did as He willed. And that cost her EVERYTHING. She gave everything until there was nothing left to give. And after it was all said and done – when she had laid the Body of God Himself inside the tomb – she continued giving, to the disciples, to the poor, to the women who followed Christ, and to miserable souls like mine.
And she will give until the end of time, because she has COMMITMENT… A commitment which my tiny insignificant mind can hardly understand… And I think of that today, as I reflect on the pig. For I must be willing to give my Beloved everything – even my bacon – after all, that is what He did for me.
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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