Have you ever heard a homily that stayed with you for days? I heard that kind on Sunday at Mass celebrated by Fr. Stephen Austin, a visiting priest from Texas.
Reflecting on the gospel about the rich person giving from excess and the poor widow giving all she had, he concluded with the three virtues exemplified by the parable. They are humility, sincerity and generosity. Now those three words and their impact are impressed on my mind, and I hope on my heart.
As I thought about these each day since Sunday I was drawn to other Scripture passages emphasizing the same things. These put Father’s ideas in other words. I know there are many other lessons throughout the old and new testament that affirm the importance of humility, sincerity and generosity. These are just three that I share here.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6.
“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” 2 Corinthians 1:12
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1Timothy 6:18
As we approach the seasons of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, my hope is that each of us (especially I, myself) will be as humble, sincere and generous as we can.
