reciprocity

Driving home today was awesome. The sky during the 5 o'clock hour was stunning... watching the rain from a distance, it looked like the clouds were bleeding into the mountains. It was amazing.

Symbolic Reciprocity

We were talking about the Theory of Reciprocity today in Religion and Anthropology. Obviously, the idea of developing these ideas is to apply it to religion.

It applies beautifully to Grace. In order to create and sustain the long term relationship, we give back. God's gift (of pretty much everything, and namely, Grace) is so huge that it we are not capable of a balanced reciprocity. So we give back symbolically. We praise, we do God's work, show God's love, and give to humanity.

A mother births her child, raises it, provides food and shelter and love and education. What can a child possibly give back? A child gives its mother a flower or a picture... it's symbolic, because the child cannot possibly repay its mother for all of her incredible gifts.

What a great God to give us so much, knowing we cannot possibly repay him.

What a beautiful sky today.