The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051116.cfm)
reminds me that it is a huge blessing to be able to give to
others.
Many people, if not all, like
to get gifts. It is a great feeling to be reminded that someone cares enough
and remembers to give you something. More than the actual gift, it is the
thought that someone deemed you special and important. That is why on birthdays
and special occasions, we look forward
to receiving gifts. However, do we feel the same way when giving
gifts?
The
first reading shows us Paul quoting Jesus in saying “It is better to give than to receive.” Is this true? Well, most
probably those who have been serving God can attest to this that it is more
blessed to give, to be on the giving end and be used by God to reach out to people.
In our community, those who have served and sponsored during a retreat can
attest how more blessed it is to be on the giving end, to be serving others,
than it is to receive these blessings from others.
But
on other things, is it true? It is really more blessed to give than to receive?
I think so.
A candle loses nothing if as it lights another candle. Instead, is spreads light and enables another candle to shine bright for God,
thus making the place a little brighter.
When
we give, when we serve, we are not only blessing others. We are not
only making God’s love more alive in others.. because as we serve God, and as
we do it well and properly, we also allow
God to bless us. We cannot
give what we do not have, so as we serve, we are telling God
to fill us up first, give us graces, energy and love so that we can also share this with others. We are telling
God we need healing too so we can be instruments of God’s healing to others. It may require more effort and
energy on our part to serve… but we are sure that as we do so, we will be
doubly blessed. We are serving a
generous God who cannot be out-given!
May
we be inspired and challenged to serve God, and expect blessings as we do so.
Am I
serving God? In what ways? Do I like to give to others, or am I too lazy and
just want to be on the receiving end of things? What excuses do I tell myself
to justify me not serving God, or not giving my all to Him? Do I realize that
as I give to others, as I serve to God, I will be more blessed, because God is
a generous God, and he cannot be out given?
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your word that reminds
me and encourages me to give of myself for you. Lord, I pray that you change my
heart and expand it so I would desire to give you more of myself. Magnify my
service, Lord, so that as I give and serve you, your name would be glorified
and your kingdom proclaimed. As I serve you, I ask you to fill me with
everything I need – your love, peace, joy, healing and mercy, so that as I
serve, these will overflow to others I am serving. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
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May 11, 2016
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Lectionary: 299
Reading 1 Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
Responsorial Psalm PS 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
“Confess the power of God!”
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.
R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
“Confess the power of God!”
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Jn 17:17b-17a
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
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