With a deft swipe of the hand, the young man attacked the pile of colorful Dum Dum lollypops splayed about the tiny table. Before one could utter, "Please, take one," or "You're welcome," he was off, lost in the netherworld of the dark club. My cohort planted them as an inducement for people to stop. If we were lucky, someone with a sweet-tooth might engage us for one, and as devoted HeadCount volunteers, we would entreat the supplicant to register to vote. Whether they said they were already registered or not made no difference, all were welcome to our sugary snare. We had nothing else to lure a frightfully indifferent crowd - no concert poster or CD from the headliner to give away, no interesting contest or survey to comply - just our voter registration forms and our candy. That would have to serve as gift enough.
But it was a slow night. Prevented from canvassing the crowd, we camped out by our table hoping that our treats would entice the passersby. By night's end I had signed up a meager half dozen new voters while giving away scores of lollypops. Not terribly successful, but perhaps one that will make a small difference in a divisive and disengaged culture.
Yet perhaps our offering was not the true gift. For a selfless gift is something given without anticipation of receiving anything in return. "The most precious gift is your true presence," says Thich Nhat Hanh. And this was confirmed by the countless people who came by, not for our free treats, but to acknowledge our commitment, saying, "Thanks for being here." The only real gift is the one you can't give away.
This could be a way of understanding today's story of Jesus' baptism. He comes to the banks of the Jordan as we come, as ordinary men and women, in search of the gift of the spirit. But he receives the unique presence, not from some outside source, but from that which came directly from himself. He teaches us that you can't look for a gift, you must be it. We must live in such a way as to become the gift of love to the whole world.
That's what the Gospels are trying to tell us: We are the beloved, the irreplaceable and unique gift of the divine. The only appropriate response then is to share your wealth and worth with others because the universe gives so much in return. Don't look for a return on your investment. Be extravagant. Trust that the selfless service you give will meet its ultimate destination - connecting the common thread of existence - enabling one gift of love to multiply in to another. In essence this is the original re-gifting.
love, always,
pia
