The goodness of God is seen in the extravagant generosity with which God gives gifts. This is described in the psalm in the boundlessness and universal scope of God’s generosity. Like the rain that falls on the entire landscape, the blessings of God are showered on all. These blessings are true gifts. They have not been earned, nor can they be repaid. God’s openness is also seen in the reading from the Letter to the Hebrews and in the gospel. All are invited to approach the heavenly city; the heavenly banquet will be open to the poor and to those who have no way of repaying.
Only the humble can receive the gifts of God. Only those who can admit their neediness are open enough to realise that God’s blessings are gifts freely given, not compensation for a job well done. Without a humble spirit we are unable to receive gifts as gifts. This is either because we are too proud or we do not know how to receive with the open hearts of children, who never think that they must return in kind. This is the kind of humility recommended by Sirach. This is the kind of humility possessed by the disadvantaged pictured in the gospel.
As we have received from the bounty of God, so we are called to give to others. Only those who have received with a humble spirit can give with the generosity of God, for they know that they do not deserve God’s goodness and they do not require anything in return.
© Dianne Bergant CSA, https://www.liturgyhelp.com/calendar/date/2025Aug31/0/RefDiBer