Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 1 John 2:15
“O Lord, I beseech of Thee that holy indifference which Thou wouldst I should feel respecting everything in this world, either good or evil, greatness or humiliation, joy or sorrow. What does it matter to me if I am rich or poor, in health or bearing sickness, despised or highly thought of? If I am Thine and Thou forever mine, of what importance will the way and means be whereby I gain my end, if only I do attain unto it? Holy indifference, which would deliver me out of all my troubles, all my anxieties, all my fears, of which my clinging to this world is the root. Holy indifference, which would banish from my heart all the passions with which it is continually disturbed. Holy indifference, which would speak peace to my soul, and would be a foretaste of eternal blessedness.”
Louis Bourdaloue (1632-1704) in Spiritual Exercises: Readings for a Retreat of Seven Days (London: Joseph Masters, 1868) 11.
This prayer is fitting for all of us.
Holy indifference aids all of us in shifting from clinging to this world to clinging to Christ. It’s vital because none of us can cling to both. Think about it. Today’s Scripture echo’s the words of Jesus who says we “cannot serve God and Mammon” (cf. Matthew 6:24). We can’t love the world and the Father both.
What’s this got to do with generosity?
Holy indifference positions us to exchange the insignificant for the significant. Holy indifference frees us from the disordered attachments that enslave us. Holy indifference releases us from fear, worry, and insecurity so that we realize the hope, peace, and security we have in Jesus Christ!
It’s a taste of eternal blessedness because we are holding on to the only One that satisfies our souls. We can never be generous unless we are satisfied. To have enough, to be satisfied with Christ, is to taste holy indifference. Grant each of us holy indifference Father, I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.