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Trinity VII: Generosity

Advertising media are constantly telling us that we need a new car, a larger house, the latest gadgets, expensive clothes, and exotic holidays. If we have all these things, we are told, then we will be truly happy. Covetousness is portrayed as a virtue. However, the more we have, the more we want. People are never satisfied. Even billionaires are happy to squeeze the poor if it will make them more money. St Paul, however, tells us that, as Christians, we should not focus our energies on the things of this world, and the author of Ecclesiastes reminds us that: ‘gwagedd llwyr yw’r cyfan’ ‘All is vanity’ (Eccles 1:2).

This morning’s Gospel begins with a striking scene. Jesus is teaching as He travels to Jerusalem, and a crowd gathers around Him. Then someone asks a question:

“Athro, dywed wrth fy mrawd am roi i mi fy nghyfran o’n hetifeddiaeth.”

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” (Lk 12:13) 

As a religious teacher, Jesus could be called upon to make rulings on religious or legal matters. However he has no desire to do so:

Ond meddai ef wrtho, “Ddyn, pwy a’m penododd i yn farnwr neu yn gymrodeddwr rhyngoch?” A dywedodd wrthynt, “Gofalwch ymgadw rhag trachwant o bob math, oherwydd, er cymaint ei gyfoeth, nid yw bywyd neb yn dibynnu ar ei feddiannau.”

But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions.” (Lk 12:14-15)

Our Lord takes a family dispute over property and turns it into a teaching opportunity. The world around us tends to equate riches with success, but it is easy to forget that wealth is a means to an end, and not an end in itself. The unnamed man wants to get hold of his inheritance. He wants money so that he can spend it. He is obsessed with worldly things. Jesus is trying to encourage people to live in a different way: God’s way. 

To illustrate His point, Our Lord uses a parable:

“Yr oedd tir rhyw ŵr cyfoethog wedi dwyn cnwd da. A dechreuodd feddwl a dweud wrtho’i hun, ‘Beth a wnaf fi, oherwydd nid oes gennyf unman i gasglu fy nghnydau iddo?’ Ac meddai, ‘Dyma beth a wnaf fi: tynnaf f’ysguboriau i lawr ac adeiladu rhai mwy, a chasglaf yno fy holl ŷd a’m heiddo. Yna dywedaf wrthyf fy hun, “Ddyn, y mae gennyt stôr o lawer o bethau ar gyfer blynyddoedd lawer; gorffwys, bwyta, yf, bydd lawen.”’

“The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’” (Lk 12: 16-19)

In worldly terms, the man in the parable can be understood as behaving sensibly. But his concern with material success leads the man to think that he is in a safer position than he actually is. This is made clear at the end of the parable:

“Ond meddai Duw wrtho, ‘Yr ynfytyn, heno y mynnir dy einioes yn ôl gennyt, a phwy gaiff y pethau a baratoaist?’ Felly y bydd hi ar y rhai sy’n casglu trysor iddynt eu hunain a heb fod yn gyfoethog gerbron Duw.”

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.” (Lk 12:20-21)

Jesus is showing us that you cannot put pockets in your shroud. You cannot take wealth with you when you die. In the afterlife you do not need ‘stuff’. If the man had thought, How can I share what I have? How can I use my riches to alleviate poverty and make people’s lives better? Then he could have done some good. Instead, he has put all his efforts solely into increasing his own wealth. God does not want us to live selfish materialistic lives. But rather to help bring about a world where goods are shared, and where the hungry are fed. Yet we still see images of starving people, and many do not have a roof over their head. Whilst we cannot individually solve all the problems of the world, we can make an impact in our communities and beyond.

The Book Ecclesiastes, known also as Qoheleth, the Preacher, begins by stressing the fact that everything is vanity. All things are empty and worthless, in themselves, especially when compared to God. Our Heavenly Father longs for humanity to respond to His love and generosity, by living lives characterised by compassion and unselfishness. This is why Jesus preaches the Good News of the Kingdom of God: to wake humanity up to eternal realities and encourage us to live thoughtfully and generously here and now. 

This is the life which stores up treasure in Heaven, which we live when we have, ‘Rhowch eich bryd ar y pethau sydd uchod, nid ar y pethau sydd ar y ddaear’ ‘Set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth’ (Col 3:2). This is what a Christian life really looks like, when lived out in the world. This is the sort of radically different life which can and does both change and transform the world: offering people a way that is different to an existence obsessed with possessions. This is the way of love and forgiveness, of knowing that we are loved and forgiven, no matter who we are or what we have done. With God’s help we can live as a community which embodies radical love and forgiveness in the world and offers others a new way of being, which turns the obsessions and values of the world on its head. The Christian way of life is that radical, that revolutionary, and can be lived out right here, today. Our Lord is speaking to us through His Scriptures. He calls us to live this life for the good of others, for our own good, and for the glory of the God who made us. God our Father loves us. He saves us from the tyranny of worldly possessions and sin, so that we can be free. Allowing us to focus on worshipping Him, and helping to make the Kingdom of God a reality.

This then is what the Church is called to be. As Christians, we need to be like a lamp set upon a lamp stand or a city upon a hill: shining, attractive, a light amidst the darkness of this world. We are called to represent a radical alternative: embodying life in all its fullness. So let us choose to live this way, together. Let us set our hearts on heavenly things. Let us build on Christ, our sure foundation. God is our treasure, and His wealth is self-giving love.

By gathering together this morning we are living out God’s kingdom here and now. Through our prayer, worship, and generosity, we can change the world; so that all people may be transformed and sing the praise to God, i Duw Dad, Duw y Mab, a Duw yr Ysbryd Glân. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I’r hwn y priodoler pob gogoniant, arglwyddiaeth, a gallu, yn awr, ac yn oes oesoedd. To whom be ascribed all glory, dominion and power, now and forever. Amen.

Rembrant The Parable of the Rich Fool, Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.
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Lent IV

IT may seem strange that on the day in the year when we particularly remember mothers, the Gospel reading focuses on a father. However, given that the theme is love and generosity, the two are not as far apart as they may seem at first glance.

In the Gospels Jesus is often criticised for the company He keeps. Our Lord is shown associating with the ‘wrong sort of people’: sinners and tax collectors, those shunned by ‘polite society’. So, to make a point, Jesus tells a parable. 

A man has two sons, and the younger of the two asks his father for his inheritance:

‘Fy nhad, dyro imi’r gyfran o’th ystad sydd i ddod imi.’

‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ (Lk 15:12)

At one level it is clear what is going on. The young man is asking for his inheritance, which he would normally receive after his father’s death. When he is given the money he goes off into the big, bad world. He is young, inexperienced, and not terribly wise. Like most young people he makes mistakes, and does foolish things. I know that I did, and I suspect that I’m not alone in that.

‘ymfudodd y mab ieuengaf i wlad bell, ac yno gwastraffodd ei eiddo ar fyw’n afradlon.’

‘the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.’ (Lk 15:13)

The impetuous nature of youth has not changed much in two thousand years. We can see that things are going to go wrong, and they do.When the money runs out, the young man does try to get himself out of his mess by gaining employment, looking after someone’s pigs. For those of us living in the countryside this seems like a very sensible idea. However, under Jewish ritual law, animal husbandry was suspect, and those who did this work were deemed to be ritually impure. Also, swine were considered unclean animals. What the son has done is beyond the pale, and completely unacceptable to Jesus’ Jewish audience. 

Despite getting a job, the young man’s situation is not good:

‘Buasai’n falch o wneud pryd o’r plisg yr oedd y moch yn eu bwyta; ond nid oedd neb yn cynnig dim iddo.’

‘And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.’ (Lk 15:16)

What is noticeable is that nobody is doing anything to help him: there is a distinct lack of charity and compassion amongst the people. The son, therefore,  decides to return home, and ask his father for forgiveness:

“Fe godaf, ac fe af at fy nhad a dweud wrtho, ‘Fy nhad, pechais yn erbyn y nef ac yn dy erbyn di. Nid wyf mwyach yn haeddu fy ngalw’n fab iti; cymer fi fel un o’th weision cyflog.’”

“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’” (Lk 15:18-19)

The son makes the journey back to his home. However, his father sees him a long way off, and runs to meet him. This behaviour, while normal and understandable to us, would have appeared strange to Jesus’ audience. Running wasn’t something that adults did. The father is breaking the rules, and acting in a way which defied the conventions of society. He has given away his property to his two sons, and now risks destroying his social capital. But he doesn’t care; it doesn’t matter. What is important is that his son has returned. The father embraces his lost son, kisses him, and then tells his servants:

‘Brysiwch! Dewch â gwisg allan, yr orau, a’i gosod amdano. Rhowch fodrwy ar ei fys a sandalau am ei draed. Dewch â’r llo sydd wedi ei besgi, a lladdwch ef. Gadewch inni wledda a llawenhau, oherwydd yr oedd hwn, fy mab, wedi marw, a daeth yn fyw eto; yr oedd ar goll, a chafwyd hyd iddo.’

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Lk 15:22-24)

The younger son is returned to his former state. He is accepted back into the family he left, he is treated with honour, and he is given respect. The calf that is slaughtered could potentially feed an entire community. The father is throwing a party for everyone to celebrate. However, the elder brother is (understandably) unhappy at his father’s reckless generosity. However, the purpose of Jesus’ parable is to teach people about the generous love of God, who longs to see prodigal humanity reconciled. God loves us enough to send His Son to die for us, to reconcile us to God, and to each other. 

In some ways, we are all like the prodigal son, and God is like the father in the parable. God loves us, and will do anything to see us return to where we belong: back home, embraced, restored, and made whole again. This is the central message of the Christian Faith: GOD LOVES US! We don’t deserve to be loved, we often turn away from God’s love, but God doesn’t abandon us, or reject us. Instead, our Heavenly Father welcomes us back, so that we may be transformed by His love. Love and forgiveness have the power to change us like nothing else. This love transforms the world. Like the prodigal son’s father, God is generous, extravagant, and loves us more than we can know or fully understand. As Christians, we experience that love, through the Church, when we read the Bible, in our Baptism, in the forgiveness of sin, and in the Eucharist, where we taste God’s real love and generosity. We receive it and are transformed by it. These things change and make us more generous and loving. They build up a community of faith, transformed by love, which can change the world.

So, my brothers and sisters, let us rejoice in the generous love of God and prepare ourselves to celebrate the Paschal mystery. Let us give thanks for our families and give glory i Duw Dad, Duw y Mab, a Duw yr Ysbryd Glân. I’r hwn y priodoler pob gogoniant, arglwyddiaeth, a gallu, yn awr, ac yn oes oesoedd. Amen.

James Tissot: The Return of the Prodigal Son (Brooklyn Museum)
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Sexagesima 2025

The majority of human civilisations, religions, and philosophies champion some version of the phrase ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. This doctrine is known as The Golden Rule, and it is good advice. If we want other people to be nice to us, then being nice to them is a good place to start. However, is it enough? No, not as far as Our Lord is concerned. He calls us to something deeper, something more radical, and more world-changing.

‘Meddai’r Iesu wrth ei ddisgyblion, “Ond wrthych chwi sy’n gwrando rwy’n dweud: carwch eich gelynion, gwnewch ddaioni i’r rhai sy’n eich casáu, bendithiwch y rhai sy’n eich melltithio, gweddïwch dros y rhai sy’n eich cam-drin.”’

‘Jesus said to his disciples, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”’ (Lk 6:27-28)

At the heart of Christianity is an idea: love your enemies. To love one’s enemies seems completely counter-intuitive. Our enemies often want to harm us. Naturally, we want to resist them, even crush them. But instead we are told to love them! We do this because love is at the heart of the Gospel. God loves us and God is born as one of us in order to transform each and every one of us, by His Grace. Jesus dies on the Cross for love of us, that we might be healed and reconciled with God. Love wills the good of another, and has the power to end conflict. This is what Jesus shows us. He bridges the gulf between God and humanity by dying for us. As Christians we are called to follow Christ’s example and put His love into practice in our lives. Jesus asks us to follow His example, living lives which are radically distinct from the ways of the world.

Just as Jesus calls us to live differently and provides us with an example of how to put the theory into practice, He also teaches us what God expects of us in terms of generous love:

‘Pan fydd rhywun yn dy daro di ar dy foch, cynigia’r llall iddo hefyd; pan fydd un yn cymryd dy fantell, paid â’i rwystro rhag cymryd dy grys hefyd. Rho i bawb sy’n gofyn gennyt, ac os bydd rhywun yn cymryd dy eiddo, paid â gofyn amdano’n ôl. Fel y dymunwch i eraill wneud i chwi, gwnewch chwithau yr un fath iddynt hwy’

‘To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.’ (Lk 6:29-31)

The generosity Jesus expects of His followers is exacting. We are told not to react to violence with violence, to give away what we have, and also to follow the Golden Rule, treating others as we would wish to be treated. 

The world around us is not very good at forgiveness, or turning the other cheek. It prefers to write people off than to admit the possibility of change: that’s how someone is, and that’s how they are going to stay. In showing forgiveness and generosity we recognise the fact that we too are human, that we too are flawed, and that we too make mistakes. Change is possible; things do not have to stay the same. People tend to love those who love them back, and hate those who hate them. The point is to also show love to those who do not love us, so that they become lovely to us, and loveable in themselves. Only love can transform something filled with hate and anger. Love and generosity are how God in Christ shows humanity how to live. Jesus’ life and death demonstrate what love in action means.

Jesus then reiterates His teaching to His disciples:

‘Nage, carwch eich gelynion a gwnewch ddaioni a rhowch fenthyg heb ddisgwyl dim yn ôl. Bydd eich gwobr yn fawr a byddwch yn blant y Goruchaf, oherwydd y mae ef yn garedig wrth yr anniolchgar a’r drygionus. Byddwch yn drugarog fel y mae eich Tad yn drugarog.’

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:35-36)

There is a paradoxical quality to what Jesus demands of us. We are to expect nothing, and yet we are told that we will receive everything. God’s love and mercy are to be experienced rather than understood. We can be merciful because God has shown us mercy, and continues so to do. The transforming power of God’s love and mercy is shown fully in the Mystery of the Eucharist, where we are fed by God and fed with God, so that His Love might transform us. This is God’s generosity, shown to us so that we might be generous in return. Through this generosity we have the opportunity to live in a different way, and encourage others to do the same. Jesus offers the world a way out of selfishness and sin, a chance to be God’s people living life in all its fulness.

As well as being non-violent and generous, Christ calls us to be non-judgemental:

“Peidiwch â barnu, ac ni chewch eich barnu. Peidiwch â chondemnio, ac ni chewch eich condemnio. Maddeuwch, ac fe faddeuir i chwi. Rhowch, ac fe roir i chwi; rhoir yn eich côl fesur da, wedi ei wasgu i lawr a’i ysgwyd ynghyd nes gorlifo; oherwydd â’r mesur y rhowch y rhoir i chwi yn ôl.”

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Lk 6:37-38)

If we want God to be loving and merciful towards us, then we need to demonstrate in our lives that we are living the way God wants us to live. What Jesus proposes is something costly and difficult, which requires us to go against the human instincts which lead us to be selfish, judgmental and unkind. But if we all try to follow this teaching together we will be built up as a community of loving generosity,making the Kingdom a reality here and now.

Each of us, on our own, is not able to do this. Even as a Christian community we will struggle. But if we trust God to be at work in us, with His Grace perfecting our nature, then it becomes a possibility. God asks the impossible of us, not so that we will fail, but so that we rely entirely upon our Creator and Sustainer to bring this miracle to pass. 

When we rely upon God together then we can be built up in love, as living stones, a temple to God’s glory. We proclaim God’s love and truth to the world, through forgiveness and sacrificial love. Clothed in the humility of our knowledge of our need of God’s love and mercy, let us come to Him. Let us be fed by Him, be fed with Him. Let us be healed and restored by Him, so that we can live lives which speak of the power of His kingdom. So that the world may believe and give glory i Duw Dad, Duw y Mab, a Duw yr Ysbryd Glân. I’r hwn y priodoler pob gogoniant, arglwyddiaeth, a gallu, yn awr, ac yn oes oesoedd. Amen.

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Homily for Trinity XX: Seeking Treasure in Heaven

In 1963 the Beatles released a version of the song ‘Money’ which was first recorded by Barret Strong in 1959 as a single on the Tamla label. This same song later became a hit for by the Flying Lizards in 1979. The lyrics begin:

‘The best things in life are free / But you can keep ‘em for the birds and bees / Now gimme money, (that’s what I want)’ 

These words capture the mindset of modern humanity perfectly. We live in a world which values wealth above all things. Such a worldview is completely opposed to Christianity. We have to take a stand against it, because it is wrong. It is deeply damaging to humanity in particular and society in general.

Today’s Gospel is a vivid picture of the problem of human nature. As Our Lord is about to set out on a journey a man stops Him and asks: 

‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

‘Athro da, beth a wnaf i etifeddu bywyd tragwyddol?’ (Mk 10:17)

Jesus replies:

“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour your father and mother.’” 

“Pam yr wyt yn fy ngalw i yn dda? Nid oes neb da ond un, sef Duw. Gwyddost y gorchmynion: ‘Na ladd, na odineba, na ladrata, na chamdystiolaetha, na chamgolleda, anrhydedda dy dad a’th fam.’” (Mk 10:18-19)

Our Lord’s reply is both self-deprecating and stresses duty towards one’s neighbour. Our faith is something which we live out in our lives. The man has done this. At which point the conversation develops.

‘And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.’

‘Edrychodd Iesu arno ac fe’i hoffodd, a dywedodd wrtho, “Un peth sy’n eisiau ynot; dos, gwerth y cwbl sydd gennyt a dyro i’r tlodion, a chei drysor yn y nef; a thyrd, canlyn fi.” Cymylodd ei wedd ar y gair, ac aeth ymaith yn drist, oherwydd yr oedd yn berchen meddiannau lawer’ (Mk 10:21-22)

Before everything else, Jesus looks at the man and loves him. This is an encounter with a God who is love itself. God loves us, that is why He sent Jesus to be born among us, to live among us, to die for us, and rise again. It is the heart of our faith: God loves us. If I said nothing else this morning or ever after, know that you are loved by God, and let this love transform your life. Christ does, however, require much of the young man He is talking to. If we want to be truly rich in God’s eyes, then we need to give away our riches, and follow Jesus. However, like so much of Christ’s teaching this is something that is easy to say, but somewhat more difficult to do. The theory is definitely simpler than the practice.

Now is a time when we give thanks for the Harvest, we pause to thank God for His generosity towards us, in giving us food. We also thank our creator and sustainer for the wonders of His Creation — even the wind and the rain. Most of all for giving us His Son, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, whom we receive in the Eucharist.

God is generous towards us, providing us with the things we need to live. He expects us to be generous in return. It isn’t that much to ask, is it? We are called to live generously, to be a generous Church, full of generous Christians. We are, but it is good to be reminded of the fact, even if it makes us a bit uncomfortable on times. That is ok. Following the Christian faith can, and should, challenge us. The comforting tradition of Harvest time should not prevent us from taking a hard look at the world. How we treat God’s world, whether we share our bread with the hungry, how we put our faith into action in society, and how we daily follow God’s will. These are all challenging things to do, and are areas in our lives where we can always improve.

The world around will tell us that we need to care about wealth, power, and stuff. That these are the way to be happy, to be powerful, and successful, and the way to gain respect, and value in the eyes of others and ourselves. That these are the means to happiness and respect is certainly a seductive proposition, and many are seduced by it, both within the church and outside. The temptation to be relevant, to give people what they want rather than what they need, to go along with the ways of the world. To be seduced by selfishness, self-interest, and sin. But we need to get some perspective: these things do not matter in the grand scheme of things. Wealth, power, and influence, are of no use to us when we are dead. They won’t help us when we stand before our maker. We cannot take possessions with us when we depart from this world, for there are no pockets in shrouds. Our worldly goods may benefit our immediate family and friends, but even that is no guarantee of anything in the long term. Would we not rather, when all is said and done, be remembered as kind, generous, loving people, quick to forgive, and seek forgiveness. Isn’t this a better way to be?

Let us then give thanks to God for all that He has done for us. Let us be generous, and loving, seeking to acquire the only thing worth having: not treasure on Earth, but treasure in Heaven. Meanwhile, let us sing the praises of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To whom be ascribed all glory, dominion and power, now and forever. Amen.

James Tissot: The Rich Young Man Went Away Sorrowful (Le jeune homme riche s’en alla triste) [Brooklyn Museum]

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Harvest 2024

Many of you may have seen ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ on the television, where Jeremy Clarkson attempts to run a mixed farm in West Oxfordshire. This popular TV programme has been running for a few years now, and is a window into the lives of farmers. It highlights the pressures they are under, the long hours, the problems of the weather, and the ever-increasing paperwork and bureaucracy. The programme also explains the modern farming methods used to produce the food we eat. As we give thanks for the harvest, we also give thanks to those who work the land, those who care for livestock, and those who transport, distribute, and sell our food. 

This morning’s Gospel is taken from the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, an extended series of teaching by Jesus about how to live a Christian life. It begins with an encouragement not to be anxious or afraid, ‘Paid ag ofni’, those oft-repeated words which stress the importance of combatting fear and anxiety. Many people worry about food and clothing, as well as heating and maintaining where they live. These things constitute our basic needs as human beings: what we need in order to be healthy and happy. Yet Our Lord tells us not to become over-concerned about such things. 

Jesus uses an example to make His point:

‘Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?’

‘Edrychwch ar adar yr awyr: nid ydynt yn hau nac yn medi nac yn casglu i ysguboriau, ac eto y mae eich Tad nefol yn eu bwydo. Onid ydych chwi yn llawer mwy gwerthfawr na hwy?’ (Mt 6:26)

God feeds the birds. If we are worth more than birds, whom God looks after, will He not care for us even more? Our Lord reinforces this point by stressing how worry about such things is self-defeating:

‘And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?’

‘Prun ohonoch a all ychwanegu un funud at ei oes trwy bryderu?’ (Mt 6:27)

We know this to be true, and yet we still worry. It is human nature. Often we have everything we need, but the pressures of the world make us think we need more. Adverts, social influencers, and the fashion industry all tell us that we need the latest thing in order to be happy. However, as Jesus reminds us: 

‘But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?’

‘Os yw Duw yn dilladu felly laswellt y maes, sydd yno heddiw ac yfory yn cael ei daflu i’r ffwrn, onid llawer mwy y dillada chwi, chwi o ychydig ffydd?’ (Mt 6:30)

We often fall down by becoming too involved in the things of this world, rather than trusting in God. We want to be in charge of our lives, when instead we should listen to the words of Jesus:

‘But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’

‘Ond ceisiwch yn gyntaf deyrnas Dduw a’i gyfiawnder ef, a rhoir y pethau hyn i gyd yn ychwaneg i chwi.’ (Mt 6:33)

Rather than worrying about the practicalities of daily life, our focus needs to be the Kingdom of God — in other words how we live our lives. Are we grateful, generous people, caring for those in need, showing love and forgiveness? If we live this way, then we create a society where the values of God’s Kingdom shape our every action: who are, what we do. We become people characterised by joy, and not fear. Joy is infectious, it simply has to be shared, which leads to thankfulness and gratitude.

The prophet Joel, in this morning’s first reading, presents us with a vision of plenty:

‘Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!’

‘Paid ag ofni, ddaear; bydd lawen a gorfoledda, oherwydd fe wnaeth yr Arglwydd bethau mawrion.’ (Joel 2:21)

The benefits for God’s people are clear, as is what they must do:

‘You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.’

‘Fe fwytewch yn helaeth, nes eich digoni, a moliannu enw’r Arglwydd eich Duw, a wnaeth ryfeddod â chwi.’ (Joel 2:26)

Thanksgiving for the harvest is important, because, first and foremost, by giving thanks we are recognising that we are not in control, God is. Christians are called to work, to enjoy the fruits of God’s creation, and to share the bounty of the earth so that none are hungry, and that all people may live in peace and plenty. 

It is good to gather together to give thanks to God. To celebrate the Eucharist together, the great prayer of thanksgiving which Jesus taught His disciples to offer. The more we come together to do this, the more we are formed into people who are thankful and generous. We are nourished not only by the fruits of the earth, but by God, and with God, so that we may be transformed into His likeness. This is the Kingdom of God, here and now, among us. This is the reality which Christ came to bring though His Life, His Death, and His Resurrection. 

By giving thanks for our daily bread, we are following God’s commands, and helping to make His Kingdom a reality. Filled with joy and gratitude for what God has done for us, we give thanks to God, and follow His instructions to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. By doing so, we embody the love, forgiveness, and generosity which are the hallmarks of a loving, forgiving, generous God.

And so, my brothers and sisters in Christ, as we give thanks to God for the Harvest and His abundant loving kindness towards us, may we continue the work of His Kingdom. Let us trust in our Heavenly Father and help others to come to know and love God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To whom be ascribed all glory, dominion and power, now and forever. Amen.