Cultivating Generous Hearts
Today’s homily from Fr. Ryan carried a powerful message about having a generous heart. As the Mass was beautifully animated by our children, it served as a perfect reminder that sometimes, the purest and most generous acts come from the simplest of hearts.
The first reading today recounted the story of a poor widow who, despite having barely enough food to survive, chose to share what little she had with the prophet Elijah. This act of selfless generosity was rewarded by God with an unending supply of food. In the Gospel, we heard about another widow who offered two small coins, all that she had, at the temple. Jesus praised her humble gift because, unlike the wealthy who gave from their surplus, she gave everything she had, holding nothing back.
“These widows teach us that true generosity isn’t about the amount we give, but about the heart behind the giving,” Fr. Ryan explained. He drew a striking parallel to Jesus’s ultimate act of generosity. Jesus surrendered His life completely and unconditionally for us. Through His Passion, Death and Resurrection, He demonstrated the boundless generosity of God, who gave everything to restore our relationship with Him.
What does this mean for us in our daily lives? Fr. Ryan broke it down into three groups of people:
- Those who give but expect something in return – Sometimes, we may find ourselves in this category. We may contribute to church programs or help others, but deep down, we hope for something in return, recognition, blessings or even financial gain. This kind of giving lacks true sincerity.
- Those who give but grumble – Perhaps we do share our time, talent or resources, but we do so grudgingly. Complaining while giving negates the joy and reward that should come from helping others. Fr. Ryan reminded us that when we grumble, we lose the spiritual blessings that God wishes to pour into our lives.
- Those who give freely and sincerely – This is the attitude we are called to imitate, just like the poor widow in the Gospel. She was able to give everything because she had nothing to lose, her heart was already detached from material things. When we give without expecting anything in return and without complaint, we are truly living out the spirit of generosity that pleases God.
As we left Mass today, we were challenged to examine our own hearts. Are we holding too tightly to material possessions? Do we serve others with strings attached? The widows’ examples remind us that true wealth lies not in what we keep, but in what we’re willing to give away with a sincere heart.
May we learn to give freely, love deeply and serve sincerely, so that our lives may be a reflection of God’s boundless generosity towards us.