“Your generosity will continue inspiring us…” That phrase I used last week as I offered a homily at my aunt Amparo Ruiz Cerda’s funeral. She was a generous soul who made a significant impact on my life. Specifically, during my childhood, my family and I were recipients of her generosity. I witnessed how she not only helped us in any way she could but also became an advocate for our family during crises.
In 2019, as she was facing a significant crisis herself, we talked periodically. I could share my faith with her, read Scripture, and pray for and with her. During this time, she also shared more about her faith journey, and I learned more about how, as she put it, the only way she had made it through was because God had never forsaken her. Last week, I also learned more about her generosity to every member of our family, her colleagues and peers at her worksite, the gardener, the plumber, and many strangers she found in her path. She had a gift for making people feel seen when others just ignored them.
As I think about my aunt and the Advent season, I am reminded that Advent is an invitation to become active preparers of the way of the One that is about to come to redeem all people in this world. One way to be a good preparer is by generosity, reminding me of St. Francis of Assisi’s challenge: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” My aunt’s life was a testimony to me that an act of generosity can be used by God to impact the lives we pour our generosity upon.
God invites us this Advent to prepare the way to Emmanuel by offering generosity to one another, especially those at the margins.
(Invitation: Open your hands as you offer this prayer.)
Generous and Gracious God, we come before you with open hearts and open hands.
Hearts open to who you are: the One who was, who is, and who is to come; the God who provides, protects, and calls us to be your hands, and to be about your work, in your way in this joyous season.
With open hearts and hands, we are better able to accept and to share with gratitude and generosity all you have for us.
With hands open to receive freely and to give freely, we acknowledge that these days are often full of responsibilities, activities, gatherings, and celebrations.
Grow us in gratitude, that our lives would overflow with joy from the recognition that all we have and all we are is because of your grace.
Gratitude releases us from the bonds that cause our hands to close into fists. With fisted hands we are useless, but with open hands and hearts, we are positioned for ministry and mission.
Giver of every good and perfect gift, may we overflow with acts of charity during this season of receiving anew your most precious gift, the Christ Child, in whose name we offer this prayer.
Amen.
Written by Rev. Lynn Benson. Used with permission.
