November 11, 2018 - Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time

"Generosity of Spirit"

Audio Clip

If your house is like my house, every so often your family displays some impressive charitable sentiment during conversation.  The amazing coincidence is that it occurs almost every time I hear that the Powerball jackpot is near record highs. The conversations typically sound something like this, "Dad, what would you do if you won Powerball?  If I win, I'm going to pay off the mortgage of every relative we have and give every one of my friends $100,000." So, I run some quick math in my head and calculate that based on the jackpot of 10/27, this family member would be sharing about $7 million and pocketing about $500 million after taxes.  Now that's real charity!

In today's first reading from the Book of Kings, we are presented with true examples of generosity.  A widow, a person who occupied one of the lowest rungs of society due to the absence of a husband, was planning a final meal with her son as they had suffered terribly in the midst of a long famine.  She recognized Elijah to be a prophet of God, someone worthy of respect and honor, while she, a pagan, considered herself deserving of suffering and she was totally without hope. But, Elijah showed her compassion and respect with words of authority that described the infinite generosity of God in words she would appreciate, "the jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry."   The widow trusted his words and responded with her own charity by giving the prophet the last bit of food she had. To a person on the brink of survival, the necessities of life are the most valuable gifts to give and to receive.

With the holidays just around the corner, I am reminded of a favorite service project which my brother deacons and I enjoyed during our formation.  My Brother's Keeper, is a local charity which is known by its mission-statement, "To bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve," --- they do this through the delivery of furniture, bedding, dishes, and everything needed for people to live with dignity. Some of us may remember Jim and Terry Orcutt, the co-founders, who have spoken at St. Helen during recent years.  The organization accepts gifts of everyday necessities which are then delivered by volunteers, free-of-charge, to those in need. And, at this time of year, My Brother's Keeper is in the midst of planning for their Christmas delivery effort. Families from all over eastern Massachusetts and even Rhode Island reach out to MBK to be included in Christmas gift deliveries for those they love but for whom they are unable to provide.  You might say that many of the people MBK serves are the modern day "Poor Widows" of today's first reading. 

In Mark's Gospel, again, we hear a story of a poor widow.  Seated in the Temple, Jesus observes the crowd putting money into the treasury, and He gathers His disciples to make a very important point --- the true value of one's gift is not measured by quantity, but by quality!  Today, Jesus is gathering us, His modern day disciples to hear this message very clearly. Jesus observes our actions, He knows our intentions, and He is touched by our true sacrifices --- time, talent, money --- whatever form they take.  But, if our giving has no impact on the way we live, than what have we given? This raises the discussion to a higher level --- I believe there is a difference between an offering and a sacrifice. Something we give, something we do, does not become a sacrifice until it affects a real change in our lives --- in the way we think and the way we live.  A sacrifice forces us to think and to consider the price. In its' most powerful example, it causes a man without sin, to shed tears of blood as he considered it. I understand how hard this lesson is --- I can't say that I've lived this as well as I should have in years past, but today is another day. 

In the thirty years which MBK has served the community, many families have been touched by their generosity.  But, as is the case with many mysteries of God, sometimes it's the giver who receives the most beautiful gift of all --- freedom.  Here is one such story as shared by a fellow MBK volunteer:

On Saturday, Jeff, a volunteer I judged to be about forty years old, helped me put batteries in a bunch of toys.  On Sunday, he sought me out to accept his donation of a set of Tonka trucks. The packaging looked old, the trucks were a little dusty, but every one of them was in beautiful condition.  Reluctantly, Jeff told me his story. This was his favorite childhood toy, the only thing he'd been able to keep intact throughout a chaotic life. A recovering alcoholic, Jeff treasured this toy, until that Sunday when he said he "felt he could let it go" so it could be delivered to some very special child.

My friends, many of our Holy Mothers Collaborative parishioners volunteer with charitable organizations throughout our community --- our Men's Prayer Group recently organized a winter clothing drive for Maura's Hopeful Mission which serves the homeless of Boston --- and, there's Father Bill's Place, the Food Pantries of Hanover and Norwell and many others.  We all know how busy life can be sometimes, so while the idea is fresh in your mind, put a plan together to help one of these worthy programs in any way you are able, especially during these holiday months. I promise you, the impact you make on those in need with leave a lasting impression on your soul. It's part of the reason why volunteers for organizations like MBK keep coming back to help.  In the words of their founder, Jim Orcutt, "Christianity is not an obligation. It is beyond a responsibility. It's a privilege. When God chooses you to be the answer to someone's prayer, then it's the highest calling because you are going in God's place."  

As we approach the holiday season and the celebration of our Lord Jesus' birth, let us pray that our Savior will fill us with compassion for our brothers and sisters in need.  And, as with the starving widow, may we trust that the generosity we share, will be infinitely repaid by our loving God. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.