God: The giver and the receiver

On this Sunday, the Scripture draws our attention to the act of giving, wholeheartedly, generously, and magnanimously. It is not just about giving of our time or money, it refers to the giving of every good thing that we have and ought to share it, generously with others. There is nothing we have that has not been given to us. We have received it all. St. Paul says, ‘what do you have that God has not given to you? And if everything you have is from God, why behave as though it were not a gift? (1 Cor 4:7). As a reminder to all when it comes to giving. the perennial hymn, ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross’ by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), has in part, the following lines, ‘were the whole realm of nature mine that were a present far too small. Love so amazing so divine demands my soul my life my all’. 

Beloved People of God, when the virtue of giving is placed into proper perspective, we discover that God is the giver and the ultimate receiver. The better this fact is understood, the more grateful everyone who gives ought to be and remain. Our giving is more like giving back to God, for all that He has generously given to us. Yet God does not depend on anybody nor on anything to be God. The truest way we can give back, meaningfully to God, is through fellow human beings. We give or share wholeheartedly and unreservedly of our blessings where and when need arises.

We pray that we all learn from both the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (cf. 1 Kgs 17:10-16) and that of Our Blessed Lord, on the widow who ‘from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on’ (cf. Mk 12:38-44).

Fr. Ted

All to Jesus – Through Mary our Mother

32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

10^th November 2024