Looking Through The Lens of Generosity
June 26, 2024
Fr. John Riccardo
“Brothers and sisters: As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also. For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. As it is written: Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.”
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Picture the scene. Sunday morning Mass. Communion finishes and suddenly the ushers start walking down the aisles with baskets in their hands. The priest stands and asks everyone to please sit back for an announcement. It’s a “special collection” for some place in the world you saw on the news. “Didn’t we just take up one of these last month?” you ask yourself. You probably did.
What we might not realize, given how often many parishes take up such “special collections” is that while we have become accustomed to such things, nobody ever did this in times long past. At the time of St. Paul, nobody ever gave money to other people, to whom they were not related, living in another part of the world. This is one of the many things that changed with the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the beginning of the Church. Baptism into Christ wasn’t a “me and Jesus two step,” but being united to countless others, across every cultural and ethnic divide. Paul learned this at the very moment he encountered the Risen Jesus on the way to Damascus to round up Christians. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Jesus asked him. But Paul wasn’t persecuting Jesus, I thought. He was persecuting His disciples. Same thing it turns out. How? Because they were genuinely, sacramentally, and really connected not only to Him but to each other. It turns out that to see the Church as “the Body of Christ” is not an image. It’s a reality. And because of this, Paul is inviting the Christians in Corinth to help out their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem — whom almost assuredly none of them had ever met — as they were going through various trials in that holy city.
We in ACTS XXIX are constantly reminding ourselves and others of the need to reacquire (or perhaps acquire for the first time) a biblical worldview. We need to see not just some things but everything differently in the light of the Gospel. Given this, what might God’s Word be inviting us to consider this week? Perhaps two things especially.
First, do we really see each other as intimately connected in the Church — so intimate that, as Paul says elsewhere, “When one member suffers, we all suffer; and when one member rejoices, we all rejoice” (1 Cor 12:26)? I fear most of us, myself very much included, tend to see ourselves as autonomous and independent individuals. This is not a biblical worldview. We are joined to one another by baptism. As such, we’re supposed to feel each other’s pain deeply. And, when we can, to do what we can to help alleviate that pain.
Second, and this one might make us squirm a little, how do we approach our money? Are we, in fact, generous? More pointedly, do you and I tithe? My father tithed what I thought was a ridiculous percentage of his income, and I could never understand it when I was a boy. As I got older, I realized my father taught me a very valuable lesson. There’s nothing wrong with having things, with making money, and certainly not with providing for those we are responsible for. That said, we are all simply stewards, and a steward is someone who cares for something that belongs to another. Everything I have — my time, my abilities, my money, everything — is a gift from God. And God is a good Father who is generous beyond belief, so much so that we exist when we need not. He will always provide for us. That doesn’t mean to be reckless or careless with the gifts He’s entrusted to us; after all, our intellect and capacity to think is one of those gifts. However, one of the most convincing demonstrations of our faith in His providence, both to ourselves and to others, is how generous we are with our money.
May the Holy Spirit help us to see one another as we really are, members of one body deeply tied to and in need of each other, and may He help us to know more and more the Father and His gracious love and provision for all our needs.
ACTS XXIX Prayer Intentions
June 2024
For Bishop David Kagan and the presbyterate of Bismarck, North Dakota and the retreat we’ll be leading for them.
For the many leadership teams across the country who will be attending the Leadership Immersives on our campus.
For all bishops and priests throughout our country, especially those who are celebrating anniversaries as well as those who are suffering with illness.
For our Board of Directors, our Episcopal Advisory Council, our benefactors and prayer partners.
For protection upon Fr. John, our team, and all our families.