06 September 2012

Thursday devotional post from Sr. Mary Roberta

Fish, fish, and more fish! St. Luke shows us today in his Gospel (5:1-11) how generous Our Lord is, and that's what triggers our own generosity.

Simon Peter and his companions haven't caught anything all night, and then at a word from Jesus their nets are about to break because of the all the fish they catch. Simon Peter is overcome with awe, as I am too, when I remember all the "fish" [His grace-filled gifts] Our Lord has given me over the years. My challenge then is to generously give back in return: "You've been given, only that you might also give!" (Matt. 10:8).



Holy Father, St. Francis de Sales affirms that when he says in his Treatise on the Love of God, "Charity [i.e., our generosity towards others] can do all things and does nothing in vain. If anyone would challenge this and ask why charity does this, charity will answer boldly, 'Because the Lord has need of it.'" That's who God made us to be (generous souls), and we give glory to Our Creator when we do what He created us to do. So God Himself needs our loving generosity. Wow, talk about being needed!

Sr. Mary Roberta Viano, VHM



Image from the Michigan Stained Glass Census, http://www.michiganstainedglass.org

No comments: