July 30, 2014 WBAS Topics Prayer, WBAS Topics Virtues & Values, REL Topic- Virtues/Values, REL Asset - Prayer Card
By: Kathy Hendricks
When I got the email about Ray’s death, my heart sank. It wasn’t a surprise, as the cancer in his system was depleting his energy and slowly draining the life out of him. Nevertheless, I felt as if a bright light went out of our world with his passing. I was often the recipient of Ray’s warmth and goodness. He greeted each person who entered our parish and made newcomers and old-timers alike feel welcomed and valued. He leaves behind a great legacy, one steeped in both hospitality and generosity.
As a counter to the restricted and self-guarded experience of stinginess, generosity opens the heart and blesses the soul. We not only find joy in giving, but also come to appreciate in fuller measure the abundance of God’s gifts.
Like the widow visited by the prophet, Elijah, whose jar of oil and bowl of flour never ran out, we discover the replenishing generosity of God. No wonder so many of the saints were joyous, even in suffering. They uncovered one of Jesus’ most profound teachings: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:38)
Everyday saints like Ray give without even realizing they are doing so. Their kind of generosity – one of genuine caring and interest in others – has a way of generating goodness. After an encounter with them, we want to pass along what we have received. In this way, generosity keeps on giving. So, while we will miss Ray’s jovial greetings on Sundays, his legacy continues through the generosity he inspired in each of us.
Bright Ideas
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Engage your family or class to consider a person of generosity in their lives. How has being a recipient of generosity stimulated a desire to be generous towards others?
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Download my Prayer for a Generous Heart and use it in your home or parish.