They
say that the more you give, the more you will have. Does not make sense, right?
The more you give, the less there will be for you - at least in the worldly
sense. But today's gospel tells us otherwise.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and
overflowing,
will be poured into your lap
There
are some things better expressed and more heartfelt when said in the native
language. And this is one of them. The Filipino translation of the verse says:
Magbigay kayo at kayo'y bibigyan ng Diyos;
hustong takal, siksik, liglig,
at umaapaw pa
ang ibibigay sa inyo.
The more you give, the more you will receive.
This does not just relate with financial blessings. As we see in the gospel,
God wants us to be generous in giving mercy, love, and forgiveness as well. If
you want to have more of these things, you should learn how to give and let go.
We should be generous in giving love. In giving our forgiveness to others. The
first reading and the psalm remind us how sinful we are, yet God continues to
love and forgive us anyway. So we should pass this to others. When God sees you
are generous in giving away, he will give you more - not just so you can have
more, but so that you can give away more.
God cannot be outgiven.
This
is just how he is. He will not let you give him more than he gives you.
Whatever we give him will surely be returned back to us. We all sin. We all
hurt God. But he continues to love us. To bless us. And the more we give,
the more he can give us back, because God
can only fill us up when we are empty.
What
am I giving to God? How do i give - do i give the best, the first fruits, or
just my surplus? Looking back in my life, what situations have I given to God -
my time, talent and treasure? In what ways has he rewarded me?
May we be generous to
give and share what we have to others.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for another week. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord I thank you
for being generous. Indeed you cannot be outgiven. Lord, sorry for not being
like this. Sorry for keeping things to myself. Sorry for not having the desire
to share to others. I pray that you give me a heart like yours. Give me a heart
that will always be ready and willing to give you my best, not because I want
something in return, but because I am just full of your love and blessings, and
the natural reaction is to share you to others. Let me be generous as well in
giving love and forgiveness, as I get these from you even if I do not deserve
them. Amen.
Blessed Week!
In Christ,
-g-
February 26, 2018
Monday of the Second Week in Lent
Lectionary: 230
Lectionary: 230
Reading
1 DN
9:4B-10
"Lord,
great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets."
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets."
R.
(see 103:10a) Lord, do not deal with us
according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Your
words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
you have the words of everlasting life.
Gospel LK 6:36-38
Jesus
said to his disciples:
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."
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