I have seen this scripture verse for over 20 years written with teal fabric-bubble paint on a cheap, bright purple Wal-Mart t-shirt.  As old as it is, I love that shirt and still wear it with much fondness. It reminds me of a good period of my life.  Way back then, I served on a steering team of leaders of the Christian mommy support group, MOPS (mothers of preschoolers). This scripture verse was the theme for the year. The moms I met in this organization loved Jesus Christ!  Surrounding myself with the authentic Christians in this group showed me that I wanted what they had, ultimately leading me down the path to where I find myself today in Regnum Christi.

Since then, the gospels have become a big part of my life, but it occurred to me that I have never given this particular verse much thought beyond my purple shirt.  As I began writing about a Ladie’s Luncheon I attended in May, this verse leapt into my mind begging for further scrutiny on the relationship between giving and receiving.

Which is more challenging: Giving or Receiving? 

My first reaction to the question would be giving.  When I think of giving and receiving- someone loses something while someone gains something.  It would seem obvious that giving would be more difficult.  On the other hand, have you ever felt like you were maybe not worthy of something you were given? Or maybe you felt like you had to “return the favor” turning a kind action into something transactional?  Or worse yet, has envy crept in making you critical of the giver?  Perhaps the answer would actually be receiving is harder.

Considering both of these as virtues, this luncheon challenged me to see that giving and receiving are completely intertwined. You cannot have one without the other.  The better you become at one, the more you see the importance of the other.  Someone that wants to give is only able to do so because there is someone to receive.  Otherwise, what would be the point?   For example, someone giving a gift of hospitality can only exercise this virtue if another one allows themselves to receive it.   

All of this is to preface a wonderful event I was blessed to attend and in doing so, I had the opportunity to practice “allowing” myself to be the receiver.

Save the Date!   

This was the title of an email that came to the NJ Regnum Christi Ladies teams.   It was sent from some of the ladies on the Chatham, NJ team who also participate in several other apostolates including Lumen and Walking with Purpose.  In an effort to integrate all of us, we were given an opportunity to attend a ladies’ luncheon in which three of the Regnum Christi Consecrated ladies were giving reflections.  Among those honored to be included in this invitation, I dutifully saved the date.

I am not sure what I was expecting, but whatever it was- reality far exceeded it!  Riding with some of my teammates made the 45-minute drive very enjoyable.  Speculating on what we would find at the end of the long driveway, the idea of being greeted by parking valets did not even enter our minds.  The grounds were made even more beautiful by the picture-perfect weather.  It was agreed by all in our immediate party that we felt like we were being treated to a Garden tea party straight from a scene of Downton Abbey.  This was felt even more so as we made our way through Maria Spinelli’s beautifully decorated home and out to the backyard lawn where we discovered shaded tables beautifully set, 3 tiered trays with finger sandwiches, and wait staff coming around for our drink orders.  Every detail in the hospitality for the 60 people that were in attendance was considered and beautifully executed.

Consecrated Ladies of Regnum Christi

Sitting down with our lunch plates, we were excited to hear the reflections from the Regnum Christi Consecrated ladies. It had been quite a number of years since we have had any interactions with these gals, and what a blessing it was!

1. The first included the idea of “letting be” that which we can’t control, “letting go” of the things that are not good for us, and “letting in” love.  All of these things seem obvious when doing them, but so difficult to realize when we are not.
2. Another talk was about remembrance.  As mothers- we love our kids so much.  Sometimes we need to ask something difficult, or say no to something they really want.  They should know we love them, but yet it hurts when they doubt this love in these difficult instances.  Does God feel this hurt when I doubt his love when I don’t get what I want?
3. Finally, a cute little story about a man being asked by God to push a rock.  He pushes every day and it does not move.  When he is discouraged, God points out that he wasn’t asked to move the rock, only to push it, and in doing so became very strong.  What a great way to illustrate for us how practicing virtue may not seem to make any difference, but consider how strong we become.

We look forward to welcoming these ladies back to NJ on November 10! You can REGISTER HERE.

PS: I was pretty surprised when, on the Sunday following my first draft of this article, that the final verse of the Sunday gospel was “Freely we have received, freely give”.  The Holy Spirit is continuing to stay with me.   

I think I will pull my purple shirt back out and continue to reflect on this…