Generosity Creates New Life: How Small Acts Build Joy, Peace, and Opportunity
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – June 28, 2026
Many parts of the world are still struggling through a period of promoting the individual and the idea that wealth (of itself), gives us meaning and happiness in life. Of course, wealth, when used well to help others, can be a very useful tool to find meaning and joy in life.
Money is neither bad nor good: it is a tool, a medium through which we interact with others. Today’s readings remind us of the benefits that generosity brings to others and to ourselves. This is brought out simply but powerfully in the First Reading when, after receiving hospitality from a family, Elisha said: ‘This time next year you will hold a son in your arms.’
There are two great lessons in the First Reading: 1) the gift of generosity; and
2) our concern for people who are generous to us. It is instructive that the lady Elisha stays with is “middle class.” She would have the usual comforts and ease we would expect. Elisha does not ask God to give her material comforts as a reward, but a child: new life.
What can this teach us? Here, Elisha is conscious of the culture and the negative stigma that the lady would be experiencing from neighbours and friends alike: in such cases it’s easy to feel like a failure. Elisha is concerned to empower her, not just give material things as a “payback”.
Secondly, the child is a wonderful symbol of new life, and the means by which we are drawn out of ourselves: babies and children naturally draw us to a high level of generosity almost as a natural, built-in, response to their needs. But it’s a little more difficult to spot the need, or feel a desire, to help older people; unless they are intimately connected with us.
Our sometimes difficult to understand Gospel passage, I feel, is linked with the First reading to remind us what it means to “put God first”: firstly, it means to be generous to others; but, secondly, be generous in a way that gives new life to a person, a community or our nation.
When we think of generosity like that, we can immediately think of many people who do things that make our society function well, even though they may not be married. eg. in the old days, there were lighthouse operators who lived in very remote places living lonely lives, sacrificed for the purpose of guiding ships around dangerous places at night: and those ships carried goods which empowered nations and individuals to live better lives = new life.
When Jesus says: “If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward;” it’s a way to say that God never forgets even small acts of generosity. Too often, in our world today, we can demonise people we fear and fail to see that generosity is a pathway to peace and friendship (rather than the usual use of “force” to remove a perceived threat).
For example: in northern Uganda some years back, rebels were firing guns at night, in a small village, scaring everyone. Except it seems, the parish priest who hailed from Mexico. He walked calmly outside the rectory smoking and asked if they were OK? The leader was shocked and asked why he was not afraid. The priest said he grew up in Mexico where there was often gunfire. He then invited them inside the house for a coffee. Thereafter, they rarely bothered the small village, except for a coffee!
How can these readings encourage and guide the younger generations of society? One message I regularly give to the youth is the importance of advertising ourselves well to attract the attention of potential employers: that is, we do things in a way that speaks well of ourselves. For example, on our C.V., if there are references to previous volunteering to help people in need, it immediately speaks well to an employer.
Furthermore, when we are given a job, especially when we have little or no experience, we should have the mind of Elisha by appreciating our employer for their generosity in giving us a chance, and taking time to train us. A positive way to appreciate the employer is, obviously, to work hard, and use our initiative to ask for more activities when we have finished early. Then, if required, we should be ready to work a bit longer, or come a bit earlier, to assist the employer
Some people are surprised when I say that. However, the same type of people are upset when their Employer refuses to give them time off for a funeral or urgent personal need. When we give a little extra, we build up a “credit” of appreciation to the employer. Getting a job is a gift and privilege, not a right (especially if we have no experience).
Finally, Paul explains that, in Christ Jesus, we were “baptised in his death; … But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him.” This explains practically the value of generosity, and the rewards that come, one day, down the road of life.
Death is not something we usually look forward to, but today’s readings remind us that when we die to ourselves for the good of others, a rich reward will come over time, assuring us of meaning and long-lasting joy as we grow older.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI