💖 HOMILY - AUGUST 10 💖

FEAST OF ST. LAWRENCE, MARTYR 

First Reading - 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Gospel - John 12:24-26

Many people are eager to receive things from others, but when it comes to sharing even a little of what they have, they often become reticent and reluctant. The readings of the day challenge us to overcome the barriers of selfishness and hoarding, and to become selfless in sharing with others. This kind of generosity, as we are reminded, can bear fruits in abundance.

In the first reading, St. Paul exhorts the Christians in the Roman province of Achaea to be generous because "God loves a cheerful giver." He urges the community to share their resources with their fellow Christians in Jerusalem, who were suffering from famine and other hardships. St. Paul addresses those who were hesitant to share or were suspicious about the collection being made to alleviate the suffering of the Christians in Jerusalem. He encourages them to overcome their reserved mentality and to join in the joy and thanksgiving that comes from sharing their material wealth with those in need. Paul assures them that their act of generosity will be rewarded by God.

The gospel presents a powerful example of self-giving and generosity. Jesus uses the image of a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies, but in doing so, it produces much fruit. This image symbolizes Jesus' own self-sacrifice, as He gave His life so that many could receive eternal life. It also serves as an invitation to us to be generous with our lives for the sake of Jesus, so that we too may secure eternal life. Offering our lives means dedicating ourselves to God, making Him the center and purpose of our existence.

Dear friends, one of the lines from the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi says, "It is in giving that we receive." Our lives become filled with joy and thanksgiving to God when we show generous love to the needy and abandoned. While giving may feel like a loss, it is an act of service to Jesus, and as the gospel assures us today, God the Father will honor us for our generosity.

St. Paul encouraged the early Christians to be generous towards their suffering brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, knowing that such acts would draw them closer to God's love. Similarly, we are called to be generous with our material possessions to win the love of God.

Generosity is not limited to material possessions; it also includes our time, talents, and the gifts with which we have been endowed. As we celebrate the feast of St. Lawrence, who was generous even to the point of offering his life rather than renouncing his faith under persecution, we are inspired by his example. He stands as a model of generosity, inviting us to be generous with our lives—in our time, in our talents, and in our service to others.

When we are willing to spend our time helping someone in need, we embody the virtue of generosity. When we use our talents and gifts for the good of the community, we become generous with our lives. Each act of generosity will not go unrewarded, but will find favor in the sight of God, who is Himself generous in love.

May God help us to grow in the virtue of generosity, and to find true joy in giving.