Daily Reflections

November 5, 2011
GENEROUS OF HEART

When you think about it, everything we have is a gift from God. The life you live, the breath you breathe. The eyes you use to read this reflection. The house in which you live, the food you eat, the friends you enjoy and so on. All that we have is from the bountiful goodness of God. We own nothing, except our sin. That is the only thing not given by God to us. So are we good stewards?
Jesus tells us in the Gospel that we are to be trustworthy, responsible and good stewards of all given to us. Nothing that we have is ours to keep. It is a loan from God. Everything returns to God for all belongs to Him.
I once heard that the poor are never too poor that they cannot give; the rich are never too rich that they cannot receive. Mother Teresa of Calcutta mentions that we are to take what the Lord gives and give what the Lord takes. This is detachment. All too often, we become attached to many things, even money.
Money is to be used rightfully, in ways that honor the Lord and help those in need. The trouble is that money takes a hold on people’s lives and in the end, it kills.
What are the gifts that you possess? Do you possess them? Alternatively, do they possess you? Possession can breed selfishness. People can become stingy in their outlook in life. They are not willing to give and unwilling to make any sacrifice. On the other hand, many people are extremely generous. These are the good stewards. The selfless and detached person sees everything as given by God. They consider themselves unworthy to have such blessings. In their humility, they are more than willing to share. Let us be like the ones whom the Lord commends in the Gospel. If we have been faithful in small matters in our life, the Lord will entrust us with riches, the treasure of heaven, namely eternal life. What profit is it to gain the whole world yet loses one’s soul? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Are you trustworthy and faithful in what has been given to you?

God of my heart, give me the grace of detachment. Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous. Amen.

St. Elizabeth, pray for us.