We can become the living presence of God through our generosity, compassion and understanding
Most of us consider that we live somewhat moral lives. Perhaps we’ve had to memorize the Ten Commandments and are familiar with the corporal and spiritual works of mercy as well as the Beatitudes. What is sometimes lacking is anything beyond a morality based on a God who is always keeping track. The next step is the kind of spirituality that is motivated by God’s love, letting that love overflow freely into the world. That is an incredible and freeing transformation in the spiritual life of every person, but some of us have not made that change yet.
Our Scripture readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time give us a clear direction about how we should be living, whether we believe somebody is watching us or not. We are reminded that God has a special place in His heart for the poor and those in need, and that it is our responsibility, especially those of us who have more than what we need, to make sure that other people have what they need to survive and thrive.
The Gospel tells us a parable about the land owner entrusting certain gifts and talents to his workers and asking them to be responsible for that with which they are entrusted. Two of the three seem to do fine, trusting the love of the master and stepping out in courage to multiply what they’ve been given. The third seems to be afraid; in fact, that’s what he admits to the landowner.
A motivation of fear or looking over our shoulders to see if somebody is watching leads us to be afraid and to bury the gifts that we have out of an insecurity about whether there will be enough. Even though we have been given the assurance from God that there will always be enough, we think we know better than Him and so we hedge our bets. We set something aside, just in case, not trusting God’s promise. All of that is motivated by fear. People who have made the transition from fear-based actions in life to love-based actions are the ones who freely give, sometimes out of their own insecurity, and into sacrificial loving and giving so that they can share with others the love that they have already been shown. The gift of unconditional love that they received leads them to do the same for others. They become the living presence of God through their generosity, compassion and understanding
Not only does our encounter with the poor and those in need call for generosity and hospitality in each of us, but it also opens us to learn the wisdom of those who are poor. Living in the world dependent on others and God’s generosity teaches one to completely open oneself to the actions of others. Imagine being a beggar along the side of the road: They are completely dependent on other people’s choices, always living with the assurance that God will provide. Do any of us who have more than what we need also have that kind of trust and dependence on God? Might we be able to learn that lesson from those in need, or do we simply judge them as taking advantage of the system or being too lazy to work? Do we even take an opportunity to understand why a person ends up in the situations that they are in? Do we have enough compassion to be with another human being and not let judgment and hatred be our first step toward them?
Have we or would we like to make the transformation from fear-based actions in the world to love-based actions? The Scriptures this weekend will lead and guide us in that direction, if only we follow their wisdom.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
