For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11
“God’s pity, and our necessity, God’s mildness, and our longings. These four cause virtue and excellence to grow.
Now understand: when the sun sends its rays and its light into a deep valley between two high mountains, and the sun then stands in the height of the firmament, so that it can illuminate the floor and the depths of the valleys, then three things take place. The valley is given more light, and light is reflected from the mountains, and there is more heat: and it becomes more fertile than flat and even land.
And in just the same way, when a good man reflects in the depths of his being upon his littleness, and acknowledges that he has nothing and is nothing and can do nothing of his own power, he cannot remain still, nor can he advance in virtues; and when he acknowledges also that he frequently lacks virtues and good works, in this he acknowledges his poverty and his need, and so he makes a valley of humility.
And because he is then humble and in need, and because he confesses his need, he thus shows and laments his need of the riches and pity of God. So he perceives how high God is, and how low he is; and so he is a deep valley.
And Christ is a Sun of righteousness, and also of mercy, standing in the height of the firmament, that is at the right hand of His Father, and He shines into the depths of the humble heart: for Christ is altogether moved by men’s need when they humbly call on Him and lament.
Then there grow in that place two mountains, which is a twofold desire: the desire to serve and praise God in worship, and the second desire, to win virtues in excellence. These two mountains are higher than heaven, for these desires touch God immediately and call on His generous pity. Because then God’s pity cannot restrain itself but must flow, for the soul then is able to have and to receive more gifts. This is the cause of the new coming of Christ, with new virtues for the soul.
Then this valley, the humble heart, experiences three things: it is more illumined and enlightened with graces, and more warmed in charity, and made more fruitful in perfect virtues and in good works. And thus you have the reason and the manner and the works of this coming.”
Jan Van Ruysbroek (1293-1381) in The Spiritual Espousals (London: Faber and Faber, 1952) 57-58.
Like the sun shining on a field and giving it life, God shines on us, and His pity and riches burst forth in humble hearts to produce generosity and good works.
It’s a vivid word picture of how the sun helps valley coming to life. Our longings and lament are met with his favor bestowing upon us that which we cannot muster.
To grow in generosity, let us humble ourselves so that His light shines upon us. Let us learn to receive all things in charity so that virtue and generosity abound.
Or in plain terms, just like a sunny day brings life, may the compassion and grace of our Lord, like the sun, bring you to life and cause you to bear fruit for your enjoyment and rich sharing.