Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Today’s Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062123.cfm
Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy, Paul and Jesus give us some tips on sound Christian living.
Paul instructs us to live out of our abundance rather than our scarcity.
Brothers and sisters, consider this:
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
It seems like responding to Paul’s challenge shouldn’t be hard for those of us who actually have an abundance of this world’s goods and benefits. But I think sometimes it is.
It’s pretty easy to assess our generosity when we look at money or physical goods. It’s clear when I give someone in need $5.00 or a warm shirt. What’s not so clear is how generous I am , both locally and globally, with non-material goods like my prayer, respect, time, service, patience, understanding, forgiveness, tolerance, appreciation, encouragement or the many hidden awarenesses that might make someone else’s life more gracefully abundant.
Jesus tells us that if we offer these invisible generosities, we will be divinely enriched:
… your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
Jesus also expects us to make that offering. Notice that, when describing good works, Jesus doesn’t say “IF” you do these things. He says “WHEN” you do them:
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you…
… when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray on street corners …
… when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites …
… when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Many of us are embarrassingly blessed in this life. Living gratefully is the first step to easing that embarrassment and turning it into spiritual self-knowledge. That deep gratitude will strengthen us for quiet, joyous generosity and the recognition that all our true abundance belongs to God.
Prose: from Gitanjali 50 – Rabindranath Tagore
I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was this King of all kings! My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust. The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand and say “What hast thou to give to me?” Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least grain of corn and gave it to thee. But how great my surprise when at the day’s end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little grain of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give thee to my all.
Music: Soul Food – Dean Evenson
Lavish Mercy 