Generosity in GIving

09-01-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

The readings describe the attitudes we should have when we give and when we receive. They also reveal that only those who are humble can receive the gift of God.

That is to say humility is the prerequisite for receiving gifts. Without a humble spirit we are unable to receive gifts as gift. This is because we are too proud or we do not know how to receive with the open hearts of children.

First reading praises the person who is humble. “My son, conduct your affairs with humility and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts,” (Sir 3:17). A humble person is conscious of his own weakness, and never rejects wisdom, no matter where it comes from. Such a person will find favor with God and with his friends and neighbors. Pride however raises a barrier to God's graciousness and to communion with our fellows.

This ties in with the gospel where the key phrase is "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and anyone who humble himself will be exalted ". Here, Jesus criticizes those who thrust themselves forward and who engineer their way to the top. This is what He observed with the Pharisees at the wedding banquet.

The Pharisees were scrabbling for the places of honor, showing just how proud, vain and selfish. They were there not to honor the host but honor themselves. And Jesus teaches that is not the way to gain honor. Honor in the Kingdom of God comes from the host, not from the guest. God confers honor to those who are humble.

Each Sunday we are invited to a banquet of the Eucharist. Here Jesus is the host, and we are the guests. Here there are no special places...you can sit where you wish. Here privilege, status, and rank have no meaning. Difference don't count. Before God we are all equal.

When we enter this church we're all humbled because we realize that we're creatures and our very existence is a gift. But we are also exalted because here we realize our true greatness which consist in the fact that we are children of God.

Let us pray for the grace to always be humble and gentle in our dealings with others. That is the way of the Lord, that is the way to be exalted and promoted in the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Julius