DAILY HOMILIES #Giving

Jesus told the Scribe last Sunday that he was not far from God’s kingdom because he spoke on the importance of love. However, if this Scribe joins in oppressing widows (as other scribes), he would receive great condemnation. Jesus wants us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves, but this does not stop us from cheerfully contributing to the building and maintenance of God’s house and the upkeep of persons who have sacrificed themselves for the mission.

Someone once said that even if Jesus Christ came again, we would kill him a second time. This is because, despite changing times, human beings have always remained the same. As we reflect on the major characters in the Passion Narrative, let us observe how we mirror them so that we can subsequently make the needed changes.

If there is a giving that God loves, it follows that there is also one that does not please God. The first thing we must remember when presenting to God is that God does not need our gifts but is interested in the spirit with which we give. Hence, as St. Paul teaches us today, we must avoid giving as though we are forced. All our giving must come from our hearts; we must be happy about it.

Do not rush in prayer. First, recollect yourself, then place yourself in the presence of God and remember that God is first your Father. This is why Jesus begins with the words: “Our Father who art in heaven.” Jesus presents an important principle of life: You cannot take without giving. Prayer is not just about asking, it also involves doing. Jesus makes clear the point: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

If making money stops you from your daily prayers or stops you from attending church as you would normally do before, if you find yourself doing things that are against your conscience just for the sake of making money, the truth is that money has become your master.

Dear friends, the size of your offertory may be very big, but if it is “nothing” to you, it is nothing to God.

Aren’t we being hypocrites when we pray just so that people may hear us pray? Know this: it is never between you and them, it is always between you and God.

For instance, you crossed the street to buy a packet of sachet water and came back unhurt. You continued your daily activities in your home as usual. Little did you know that if you had crossed ten seconds earlier, you would have been hit by a stray bullet. God did something for you without you even knowing.

At times, giving to God seems like madness. It felt like madness for Jesus to be attending to the people when he had not eaten. It surely feels like madness for a priest to forget himself and his personal interests for the sake of the people. But let us not forget that what seems like madness to us men is wisdom in the sight of God

In giving an offering, we are not increasing God’s wealth but showing our love for Him. In one of the prefaces for Mass, we say: “Our prayer of thanksgiving adds nothing to your greatness but profits us for salvation.” That is to say, no matter how big our offering may be, it does not add to God and if we decide not to give, it does not reduce God.