Blessed to Give

The WORD today reminds me that it is a huge blessing to be able to give to others, especially in God’s name. 

Many people, if not all, like to receive 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 considered 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 these 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!

A lot of people need something now. A lot lost their jobs. A lot cannot work. A lot cannot eat properly. With this pandemic, there is a greater need for people. And this is a time to live God’s command. For people who still have work and are still able to live comfortably, this is a time to share more. This is a time to be God’s hands in the world. We know and realize what are the basics and essentials in life. We realize that we do not need so much. And this should remind us to give back more.

Am I serving God? In what ways? Do I like to give to others, or am I too lazy or selfish and just want to be on the receiving end of things? What excuses do I tell myself to justify 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? How can I serve Him today?

May we be inspired and challenged to serve God and give our best for Him. 

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. With this pandemic, use me to be your hands and make your love more real and more alive.  Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

May 19, 2021

7th Week of Easter - Wednesday; St. Celestine V

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FIRST READING

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.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab

R. 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.

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ALLELUIA

John 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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GOSPEL

John 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.”