Among all the pilgrims and poor people who were drawn to her from all parts by the great fame of her virtue and exceeding generosity, there was a certain unpleasant leper who requested that the best cow of the herd together with the best of all the calves be given to him. Far from refusing his request, she gladly and promptly gave the best of all the cows and the prime calf of another cow to this sick man. Out of pity she also sent her chariot with him for the lengthy journey across the spreading plain in case he should be wearied by having to drive the cow on the long journey. She also commanded that the calf be put in the chariot behind him. And so the cow spontaneously followed them all the way to their destination, licking the calf with her tongue and tending it as if it were her own. You see, dearest brothers and sisters, how even brute animals served her, contrary to their own nature.
– Cogitosus, The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin
“If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
– Matthew 5.40-42
Literalist
Some might regard Brigit as a “literalist” for granting the leper’s request. She was, as we all should be when it comes to the Word of God.
The leprous man asked only for a cow and a calf. With those, he reckoned he could get along. He did not ask to be healed and apparently, he was not. But Brigit knew it would be a long journey to his home, so she also dispatched her “chariot”—really, just a cart—to take him there. She had the calf set in the back of the cart so that the cow would not need to be driven but would follow along naturally, which it did. The driver would have returned the cart thereafter.
Jesus said that we must give to all who ask of us and give more than they request. This is precisely what we see Brigit doing in this story. Here is a challenge for each of us. As we face each day, do we pray for the Lord to give us grace and strength for what we know we will do? But are we just thinking about getting a job done, finishing a task, or completing some duty? Or are we asking the Lord for exceedingly and abundantly more grace so that we might go the extra mile in all our work?
Just getting by?
It’s easy for our Christian lives to devolve into a series of routines. This is what I do, I do it to serve others and please the Lord, and I do the same things over and over again week-in and week-out. Certainly, we can find joy and satisfaction in doing our work as unto the Lord, thanking and praising Him for grace sufficient for all our needs.
Growth in the faith is stimulated and fueled by our time in the Word of God and prayer. As we read and meditate, pray and listen, God shapes our soul so that we become a bit more like Jesus every day.
But the reality of that growth comes to expression in our lives, especially in times of suffering and opportunities to give. For when we are in pain—whether physical or merely some form of inconvenience—we are encouraged to remember the suffering of our Lord Jesus and to endure as He did by looking to our heavenly Father. And when we give, whether of time or work or resources or attention, we empty ourselves of all that the Lord has given us of grace for the day and thus open ourselves to receive more of His grace and to be made more like Jesus.
But what if, in all our regular duties, we learned to think like Brigit and Jesus? How can I go the extra mile here? What might I add to this task, this obligation, this meeting, or whatever it might be to bring more of God’s abounding Presence into it so that more His grace reaches those I’m trying to serve?
Are we just getting by in our faith or are we going the extra mile, straining ourselves beyond ourselves, to serve others with the grace of the Lord?
Extra mile faith applies in every situation we find ourselves every day. We need to learn to think “extra mile” so that we will hear the Spirit’s promptings and reminders as we go through our daily work. And if we keep this up, we will find that we know more of the Presence of Jesus with us and are becoming more like Him by going beyond our “normal” self into that glorious region where faith and obedience cause grace to flow with such transforming power that we will find strength and delight in every “extra mile” moment of our day.
By doing so, you probably won’t find people streaming to your door seeking a cow. But those who are bathed in the grace of your extra miles will be blessed, will see Jesus, and will be encouraged to do the same for others. Extra mile grace and living is what we need just now. Why not pioneer the way in your own life space and all its many opportunities to serve?
For Reflection
1. What “extra mile” opportunities will you have today?
2. How should you prepare for each of these?
Psalm 21.1-5
(Lyons: O Worship the King)
O LORD, in Your strength I sing with glad voice;
in Your saving grace, I greatly rejoice!
You’ve given to me the desires of my heart;
my earnest requests You fulfill, whole and part.
Good blessings are mine: a crown on my head!
I asked of You life, gained heaven instead!
My glory is great through Your rich saving grace,
and splendor and glory upon me You place.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we continue looking at the nature of justice as God defines it. In our Read Moore podcast we begin a series of readings from three booklets on life in the Kingdom. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
