The Art of self-giving

The Art of self - giving

A Japanese master in oriental spirituality wrote in his book published some years ago: “The greatest thing we can offer or do is never more than a stone thrown high in the air that ultimately falls to earth. The renown of famous people is the same: Their exploits may flash across the history of humanity, but they soon fade away without leaving a trace.

I found this thought very much attuned with what I have been reflecting in the past months on the real essence of prayer. Prayer is not merely an act of conversing with the One I love offering him precious moments of my day. It is not even to indulge in an interrupted ascetic discipline to please him and therefore obtaining a kind of spiritual union and favor. I am discovering that whatever I offer to God –“in my prayer”- really means nothing, it is in fact affirmed in the letter of St. James: “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father… with whom there is no variation…”

I am discovering that what matters in prayer –therefore pleasing in the eyes of God- is the giving of oneself, just as the author of the letter to the Hebrews strongly writes: “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me…”

I understand that it really takes time to learn to master the art of praying, but I believe that part of it lies in learning the art of self-giving.

The master of oriental spirituality proposed a Japanese legend that I found so fitting to what I have mentioned above, so I am posting it here:

“…once upon a time long ago, a monkey a rabbit , and a fox lived together as friends. During the day they frolicked on the mountain; at night they went back to the forest. This went on for some years. The Lord of Heaven heard about it and wanted to see if it were really true. He went to then disguised as an old wanderer. “I have travelled through the mountains and valleys and I am tired out. Could you give me something to eat?” said he, laying down his staff in order to rest. The monkey went off at once to gather nuts that he presented; the fox brought an offering from his fish trap in the river. The rabbit ran through the fields in every direction but came back with nothing. The monkey and fox made fun of him: “You are really good for nothing.” The little rabbit was so discouraged that he asked the monkey to gather some thistles and fox to set fire to them. They did so. Then the little rabbit said to the old man, “Please eat me,” and threw himself into the flames. The pilgrim was pierced to the heart by this sacrifice, and wept, saying, “Each one deserves praise; there are neither winners nor losers. But the little rabbit has given an exceptional proof of love.” So saying, he restored the rabbit to his original form and took the little body to heaven to be buried in the place of the moon.”