11th Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 18th June 2025

God’s generosity is evident in creation. This insight is granted to Ignatius of Loyola who proposed a new way of seeing God in all things, and all things in God. Hence, God is at labour with His magnanimous providence in all things for us. ‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Cor 1:10).

Paul invites the Corinthians, who enjoy affluence due to the city’s vibrant trading activities, to show their generosity to other communities in Macedonia without grudging. Paul enlightens them that God loves a cheerful giver. All acts of charity have no lasting merit when it is mere performance to show off. This is aligned to Jesus’ teaching about giving which is not meant to aggrandize the status of a person, nor is it to discourage giving. In fact, it is to highlight the fact that everyone can give something according to his heart and capacity.

Pope Saint John Paul II caught the world’s attention when he said, “No one is so rich that he has nothing to receive, and no one is so poor that he can give nothing to society.” This maxim is an inspiration to efforts of reciprocity and compassionate sharing of plenty in scarcity. However, Jesus cautions us to “be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven” (Mt 6:1).

Dear Lord, help me to be generous without grudging.