20210810 THE REWARDS OF GENEROSITY
10 August, 2021, Tuesday, Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr
First reading |
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 © |
God loves a cheerful giver
Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.
The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 111(112):1-2,5-9 © |
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
Gospel Acclamation | Jn8:12bc |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
Gospel | John 12:24-26 © |
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’
THE REWARDS OF GENEROSITY
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2,5-9; Jn 12:24-26 ]
Today, we celebrate the feast of St Lawrence. There are many legends on the generosity of St Lawrence and his love for the poor. He called them the treasures of the Church, presenting them to the Prefect of Rome when the latter demanded that he brought all the treasures of the Church to him. As a Deacon, St Lawrence gave away all the treasures of the Church to the poor. He was put to death slowly by being roasted on the gridiron as a consequence. Not only did he drink the chalice of Christ in the Eucharist, but he literally drank the cup of suffering unto death.
Indeed, the scripture readings chosen for this feast appropriately sum up the life of St Lawrence. He gave to the poor willingly. “He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.” He was generous and as a consequence, God provided him the means to give more to the poor. As St Paul wrote, “The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.” God gave him a big heart, so big that he was even ready to die for the poor and ever ready to forgive his enemies as well. To be able to give oneself so totally to the poor and to martyrdom is certainly a grace of God. No one can be so magnanimous unless God grants him that grace. This explains why generosity and martyrdom are not just our effort but also gifts from the Lord. Only God can give us the capacity to suffer and die like Him.
Although most of us are not called to martyrdom, we are certainly called to die to ourselves in the service of others. In the gospel, Jesus said, “If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.” We are called to serve generously wherever we are and in whichever vocation the Lord calls us to. We must use our gifts and talents generously for the good of all, for the building of the Church, His kingdom and society. The Lord reminds us, “unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life.”
If we are seeking life, then there is only one way; it is through death to oneself. Life is such a paradox. The more we try to save our life and protect it, the more we will face death. One who is afraid to give himself will not be able to experience the adventures of life. He who cannot give much will not be able to receive much joy in giving. This is why Jesus explained that, like the grain of wheat, we must die in order to live. By spending our life on others, we will find joy in living because we are living for someone. Living for a good cause is living for meaning. To live just for oneself has no meaning. We might live longer when seeking to protect ourselves, but it does not mean that we will live happier.
Not only is life found in giving ourselves unto death through humble and selfless service, but in giving and serving humbly, we attain true greatness in life. We are remembered not for our achievements unless we achieve great things that benefit people. Those who serve generously and selflessly will always be remembered by people. But those whose lives are about themselves, their comfort and status in society will not be missed when they depart from this world. People only remember those who served them, not those who made use of them for their glory and power. Unfortunately, sometimes those in politics, and even those in religion, forget the reason why they were elected or chosen; not for themselves, not for their importance, but simply for the service of the people. So, being in positions of power and influence are not for our vainglory, but so that we can use them for the good of others.
When we live our lives in humble service, the rewards of generosity and giving are great. Firstly, in giving, we are given a greater capacity beyond ourselves to give even more. St Paul wrote, “And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works.” How often, when we do good, God sends us helpers as well, to provide us with the necessary resources to carry out our mission. Just when we think that we are limited by resources and manpower, God sends these to us without us knowing where they came from.
We remember the story of the multiplication of loaves. When the apostles told Jesus that there was a boy with only five barley loaves and two fishes, Jesus took them with gratitude and in thanksgiving offered to God and to the people. And as a consequence, not only did the entire crowd of 5000 men, excluding women and children, were fed but there were twelves baskets of left-over. How could the miracle have come about? It could be as it was, if we take the miracle literally, although if we take this position, the strange thing about this incident is that there was no reaction to the miracle from the crowd, as had happened in the other miracles where the people were filled with wonder and amazement. (cf Jn 6:8-13)
Hence some scholars suggest that perhaps the real miracle was a transformation of life in response to the generous giving of the boy and our Lord. When the people saw what they did, they were inspired by their generosity, and in turn took out from their own baskets the food they brought with them for their picnic, since in those days there were no restaurants or café. An act of kindness inspires others to do the same. So, too, the act of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins; that grain of wheat that was crushed inspired many Christians like St Lawrence to do the same. St Paul wrote, “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore, all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” (2 Cor 5:14f)
Secondly, whilst we may become poorer in our financial reserves, we become richer in love. What makes life worth living is when we love. Indeed, to be created in the image of God is to share in His life of freedom in love. There is no greater joy in life than to love, and to love freely without reservations or conditions. When love flows out from our hearts to all, we become alive. We are rich in friendship. People are always attracted to one who loves freely without expectation of anything in return. Genuine love sets our recipients free to love as well. There is no obligation to return that love, but because there is no pressure to return that love, all the more, the person wants to give back the unconditional love that he had received. This is why those who are loving tend to be loved much by others in return. Those who cannot love cannot expect to find friends. The psalmist testifies, “The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.”
Thirdly, when one loves, one lives a life without regret and with a clear conscience. This is what the psalmist says, “He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. With a steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see the downfall of his foes. Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory.” The Lord assures us the Father will honour those who serve Him. How does the Father honour us if not to give us a life of peace, joy and a righteous heart, knowing that we have done our part in sharing our resources, time, energy with people?
In the final analysis, all giving is for the greater glory of God, for the good of the Church and humanity. God would be praised and recognized for His mercy and love to us all. There will be increasing fellowship and unity among all peoples. Love and charity transcend all barriers, even racial and religious differences. The only language that unites us with God and with our fellowmen is the language of love, compassion and charity.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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