Sunday 21st September – 25th Sunday of the year

Reflection: Matthew 20: 1-16

IS GOD TOO GENEROUS?

Whether or not we recognise it, God is indeed generous to us all. The gift of life and our needs that are met daily are nothing but an indication of His great love and generosity towards us. Each time we are privileged to look upon an image of the crucifix, we are reminded of how generous God is with His mercy – so much as to come down in human form and undergo the humiliation, punishment and death in our place.

As we grow in our faith, we must be careful so as not to become envious of God’s generosity as He extends His hands of love to others, people whom we have condemned because of the sinful lifestyles and habits they may have engaged in. God’s compassion is great. We must bear in mind that we are who we are only by His grace and we must rejoice when we see others respond to this same mercy and grace we have ourselves responded to.

Jesus asked the early hirelings in today’s reading, “Why are you envious because I am generous?” None of us deserves God’s mercy; none of us has a right to it. His generosity to us is only a privilege. Let us ask God for mercy for the times we have passed judgement on others and grumbled at the seemingly great blessings He has given others.

As we do this, we open ourselves to be beneficiaries of God’s great generosity.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your great generosity towards me. Please help me to extend your mercy and generosity to others.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 280 – What reasons do Christians give for human dignity?

Every person, from the first moment of his life in the womb, has an inviolable dignity, because from all eternity God willed, loved, created, and redeemed that person and destined him for eternal happiness.

   HIDE A TREASURE: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God – not because of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:18 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Isaiah 55: 6-9; Psalm 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18; Philippians 1: 20-24, 27; Matthew 20: 1-16