Jesus Was an "Indian Giver"

Lectionary reflections for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (C)

by Carol Gallagher

Readings for Epiphany 5, Year C, Feb. 8, 2004

When I was a child, if someone returned a gift he or she had been given, other kids would call that person an "Indian giver."

This was considered a great insult, to be an Indian giver. To a little Native or American Indian girl, these words seemed even more hurtful, as if a whole group of people that I was related to was shameful and not generous. I came to find out that the term "Indian giver" arose out of an incredibly generous gesture that was completely misunderstood.

When the first settlers arrived from Europe, and were struggling for survival, Native people shared these resources with them. When the settlers seemed to be recovering and managing on their own, then the items were reclaimed in order that they could be shared with the next people in need. What was meant to teach a new way to do things in a new world became misinterpreted as selfishness.

Many Native communities that encountered the first settlers had communal stores of furs, food and other essentials that were held in common and shared as needs arose. When the first settlers arrived from Europe, and were struggling for survival, Native people shared these resources with them. When the settlers seemed to be recovering and managing on their own, then the items were reclaimed in order that they could be shared with the next people in need. What was meant to teach a new way to do things in a new world became misinterpreted as selfishness. What was meant as an outpouring of hospitality and welcome was misunderstood to be a lack of generosity.

In the Gospel for today we find that generosity and creativity is the mark of Christ's presence in our lives. To say that the fishermen were having a bad day would be an understatement. The normal practices of their lives were interrupted and their survival was in question. Jesus entered their lives and offered a unique approach to their problem. And right away they argued as to what this could mean.

Jesus' presence brought them the power of a living God but it also required a change from them. Their old understandings would have to give way to new and different interpretations. Their world, which had been very confined and ordered, was now expanded and chaotic. This blessed stranger was coming in their midst bringing the challenges of inclusion and creativity, which are the attributes and the outward expression of God's presence.

Jesus came to people and changed the whole interpretation of generosity and invention. He showed the disciples that new ways and new relationships were being formed. The jobs would be so expanded that their fishing would include risking nets to uncharted seas and drawing strangers and enemies into the embrace of God in Christ Jesus.

The disciples had the opportunity to either engage a new way of being with Christ or turn away and be insulted by that invitation and generosity. We have the same opportunity -- to embrace or turn away. The promise of the Gospel is that there will be plenty of fish, plenty of innovation, plenty of room for all if we will but reach to the other side. If we will reach to include, if we will stretch to expand our understanding, if we will but take enemies and strangers as part of the community, then we will surely participate in the abundance and the blessing.

The Rt. Rev. Carol J. Gallagher is Bishop Suffragan of Southern Virginia. She is a member of the Episcopal Church Publishing Company board of directors (publisher of The Witness), and may be reached by email at dsvwo@verizon.net.