Years ago, after I accompanied college students on a mission trip to serve in isolated, underdeveloped villages in Honduras, the group was greatly impacted by the experience and the material poverty we witnessed. One student reflected, “It really struck me how people could be so happy even though they have so little.” 
 
I’ve known many people that have it all, but still long for something else. After the novelty of the latest toy wears off, a child longs more for the attention and love of a father and mother than any device they play with.   
 
Yes, material things can stimulate us, but sustaining us is another matter. A “large” life is not necessarily an abundant and fulfilled one.
 
Jesus speaks with remarkable clarity of purpose when he states, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” In addition to being his purpose, Jesus is making a promise to us: abundant life. The Lord does not rely upon material wealth to make such a promise, nor is that his intention.
 
Once again, Christ is making clear his desire for us and for our well-being; not with ideas or mere hopes, but as an expression of love. He knows what we truly need and what our hearts yearn for. His love knows no limits; his love is never stored away, but always given.
 
After years of studies in theology, Bishop Robert Barron writes about reaching the following realization: “Christianity, I saw, was not our disciplined quest for God, but God’s relentless quest for us – even to the point of death.” The quest for us begins with the gift of life; more than mere existence, his gift is for living. He gives, we live. We must continue the process.  
 
Such is the recipe for abundance. The first step is always Christ’s initiative. His promise of life is abundant and seeks us out. Wealth and power tend to obscure it, while simplicity and gratitude make his gift grow more, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
 
Noted Dominican theologian, Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, O.P., recounts the greeting given to now saint Pope John Paul II in his visit to one of the marginalized and poor neighborhoods of Lima, Peru by a married couple who represented the inhabitants of the area. With simple honesty and hope, they spoke: “Holy Father, we are hungry. We suffer affliction, we lack work, we are sick. Our hearts are crushed by suffering as we see our tubercular wives giving birth, our children dying, our sons and daughters growing up weak and without a future. But, despite all this, we believe in the God of life.”
 
Even in the midst of death, or people dying slowly from poverty and disease, the God of life can be encountered and celebrated. How? Why? Because life is his gift; sin is the world’s diminishment and rejection of the giver and the gift. His response, even in the midst of poverty, oppression and suffering, is abundance.
 
Even in the midst of material wealth and living large, comfortable lives, people are dying a slow spiritual death.
 
True happiness is discovered the more we encounter Christ along our way and come to understand that his promise of abundance of life and in life grows stronger in the measure that we give it away. He gave and gives himself for us… Open your hearts and hands to receive and give.
 
Joy and abundance can be found and lived when we know and trust the One who gives life and we are grateful for the gift …. and the giver.