God the Great Giver of Gifts
When we particularly want to show our love for someone we come loaded with flowers, or chocolates, or even jewellery. When we were children, the visit of many a relative or friend of our parents meant that we were on edge with anticipation, wondering what he or she had brought us this time. That is the nature of love - to show itself in action, and particularly in sharing the wealth love has with the beloved, by bringing gifts.
St Ignatius realised that God was the great giver. His love for us is so great that He showers us with gifts. It starts with the gift of life itself and, for many of us, this gift is enhanced by the circumstances of our life. God surrounds our life with good people and good things.
For all of us, there is beauty to be found in this life, not only the beauty of the human being, the wonder of our nature, but also the beauty of the sky and the plants, the flowers, the colours, the shapes, the beauty of music and art - and so it goes on. God could have put us in a dull world, but He loved us too much to do that. Even the poorest of us can and do find beauty in our surroundings, and in the people given to us.
God loves us too much not to give us the presence of beauty. He also puts us in an intriguing world, which stretches our minds and our interest. In fact, He gives us a life full of mystery.
Of course, God’s giving does not stop there. His loving gift-giving goes further, when we think of how we try to spoil what is His gift, ...but that is for another article!
Tony Horan sj