Of Giving and Living

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081018.cfm) reminds me of the importance of giving for us to fully live. 

In this world, your supply decreases as you use it or as you give it away. If you give money, you will have less of money. If you give food, you will have less to eat. That's how it works. That's logic. However, it is different with God. The more you give to and for Him, the more you will have. This is what the readings remind me. 

The first reading clearly explains this. The more we give for God, the more we will have. The more God will give us.

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully... 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.

The more we give for God, the more he will bless us back. If we give for him, he will return more to us. Moreover, God loves when we give from the heart. God takes delight when we give cheerfully. 

We see this continued in the gospel. The more we give to God, the more we receive. It actually becomes a pre requisite. As we give, we should give the best. We should give more. We should give a lot - like dying to ourselves. The gospel teaches us that we should die of ourselves, in whatever we have, for us to attain something great - In order for Christ to live in us.

Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.

How strong Jesus’ words are. We will only produce fruit if we die of ourselves. Scientifically, it’s true. The seed has to die to give life to a tree. When the seed dies in the soil, something bigger than it comes to life. This shows that dying is not enough. It has to die in a good soil for it to become a tree and bear fruits.

We need to die of ourselves and allow God to dwell and live in us. Jesus says that whoever hates his life in the world will preserve it. If we live our lives not for our own comfort and personal worldly concerns, but rather die of our natural worldly desires and allow God to live in us by following and serving Him, then we will have life for eternity, after we live on this world. That is real life. That is real living. We need to realize that this world is fleeting and we are merely passers-by in this world. We need to prepare for eternity. 

Christ, God’s only son, out of his great love for God and us, obeyed God and suffered in this world. However, when he was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation. Like Christ, we need to obey and trust God’s plan and expect him to use us mightily as we obey him, as we die of ourselves. And as we do so, take note that in the first reading it says that God loves a cheerful giver. May we give cheerfully. 

Do I give to and for God, or do I keep everything to myself? What is my attitude as I give? We are all living ON this world, but am I also living OF the world? What things do I need to die of in order that Christ may live in me? Do I realize that this world is temporary and that I need to prepare for eternity? Am I willing to die of myself and of my worldly concerns to be able to live for eternity with God?

May we be inspired and moved to die of ourselves so Christ may be fully alive in and through us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I love myself too much. Sorry for the times I enjoy this world too much. Sorry for not giving of myself for you. Sorry for focusing on myself. And sorry for not dying of myself for you and your kingdom. Lord, Help me have a big heart for you. Help me love you more than i love myself. I surrender and empty myself. I submit to your will. As I die of myself and my desires, I ask that you fill me with your love. Fill me with good things. Love me and live in me, so that I may love others the way you want me to, and make you alive in this world.  Amen

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 10, 2018

Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Lectionary: 618

Reading 1 2 COR 9:6-10

Brothers and sisters:
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.
As it is written:

He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Responsorial Psalm PS 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Alleluia JN 8:12BC

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me."