The Word God Spells

Luke 21: 1-4
Dn 1:1-6.8-20 / Dn 3:52-56

While Jesus watched the wealthy bringing their offerings to the temple, He noticed a poor widow go up to the treasury to put in two small coins.
(Luke 21: 1)

To those who practice charity,
God’s blessings flow abundantly;
With grateful hearts let’s strive to be
God’s gifts of generosity

As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their offerings into the temple treasury. He also noticed a poor widow putting in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people have all made offerings out of their surplus wealth; but she out of her poverty has offered all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

Reflection

The widow’s contribution demonstrates the lesson that our Lord is imparting, that it is not so much what we give that counts, but what we are willing to give up. It is the spirit behind our giving that gives our gift its worth. There are two reasons we can think of why the widow decided to part with her last two coins. The first is out of gratitude. In spite of her poverty, she wanted to express her gratitude to God for some blessing(s) that she might have received. The other reason is her strong faith. She firmly believed that by giving everything to God, He would surely reciprocate her sacrifice by giving back to her ten times or even more than what she had surrendered. She had complete faith in God’s providence and generosity.

Today’s Gospel of Luke teaches us several things about the gift of giving. The first is, it doesn’t matter whether we are rich or poor, we must never neglect our obligation to support our church, as the widow did for her temple. The amount is not as important as the sincerity of our intention. The second lesson we learn today is, we must give with total trust in the Lord’s Providence, believing that the cornucopia of God’s bounty will always be available to us. If we really have genuine faith in God, then we should harbor no doubt that He will open the floodgates of heaven to fill all our needs. The third thing to remember is this – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also get a generous harvest. God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Cor.9:6,8) By being generous to others, we become God’s answer to their prayers.

Finally, we have learned that those who have less in life seems to have more in wisdom. This is God’s justice. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3)

Lord, may the words of St. Paul apply in all our dealings: “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.” (2 Cor. 9:10) Amen.

Luke 17: 11-19
Wis 6:2-11 / Ps 82

Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?
(Luke 17:17)

The reason why the world’s in strife:
We don’t thank God the way we should;
The secret to a happy life
Is a heart full of gratitude.

As Jesus continued His journey to Jerusalem through Samaria and Galilee, ten lepers met Him in a certain village. Standing at a distance from Him, they called out, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when He saw them, He said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. Then one of them, realizing that he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice. He fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17:11-19)

Reflection

The nine other lepers were so excited about being freed at last from the scourge of leprosy and being healthy and clean once again that they could hardly wait to tell the good news to their family and friends. In their joy and excitement they forgot to stop and thank the Source of their miraculous healing. Thus, their healing was incomplete.

Only one out of ten people live to the ripe old age of eighty years or more. This healthy ten percent of the population are those who most likely possess grateful hearts. Not many people are aware of the power of this grace called gratitude. The reciprocal action of a grateful heart can result in exponential returns. Let me cite an example. Sis. Lucy, a member of our community, was a former Carmelite nun who asked me to edit the life testimony she was going to share in our breakfast meeting. She was so grateful for the favor, she asked how she could reciprocate. I replied, “Just pray for me, as I will be giving a “Tithing Talk” in our Tagum outreach on Saturday.”

The brothers in Tagum arranged the talk right after their breakfast meeting, which quite naturally ‘turned off’ the members. Being forced to stay to listen to a topic about parting with their money was not a very pleasant experience, and it showed in their dour faces. However, (to my surprise), the negative atmosphere in the room didn’t seem to faze me, as I stepped up to the podium and enthusiastically launched into my prepared talk. For the next forty minutes or so, I could feel the inspiration, the fire even, of the Holy Spirit. I was literally all fired up – my shirt was damp with perspiration, and in that airconditioned room, my wife noted faint mists rising from my body. The talk was a complete success. During the open forum that followed, all questions were satisfactorily answered. Even their chaplain stood up to express his appreciation. I could not explain where all this was coming from. It could only have been the powerul work of the Holy Spirit. When I met Sis. Lucy a few days later, I thanked her for her prayers, and related what happened. She smiled and said it was the prayers of her Carmelite congregation, to whom she had made a special request, in gratitude for helping her deliver her own successful sharing. No wonder!

I will bless the Lord at all times; praise shall always be in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord that the poor may hear and be glad. Magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His Name together (Psa.34:2-4). Thank You, Father God, for healing us of the leprosy of ingratitude. Let our hearts be grateful for all Your blessings all the days of our lives, that we may never tire in serving You through others. Amen.

Luke 10:17-24
Bar 4:5-12,27-29 / Ps 69

Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
(Luke 10:20)

I asked as I knelt down to pray,
“These blessings, why do I deserve?”
I rejoiced when I heard Him say,
“Because it’s the Lord God you serve.”

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that very moment, He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” (Luke 10:17-20).

Reflection

Most of the Protestants and born-again Christians we meet exude an aura of joy and gladness of spirit that is in stark contrast to the solemnity and seemingly gloomy atmosphere that we find in most Catholic churches. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons why many Catholics have joined Christian churches other than their own, because the spirit of joy is sorely lacking in our masses and worship assemblies.

There are three major reasons for this absence of joy in one’s spiritual life. The first is lack of gratitude for the blessings in our life that we just take for granted. In most cases, we only realize the value of something when we have already lost it. Take our health, for instance. Lack of gratitude for this precious gift of life makes a person take for granted regular exercise, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle; he indulges in harmful substances like alcohol and cigarettes with no regard for their long-term ill effects. When he is eventually paralyzed by stroke or stricken with emphysema, it is the only time he stops smoking and drinking, and rues the loss of his good health. Indeed, a healthy body houses a very strong, happy and appreciative heart.

The second reason why the gift of joy may not be present in one’s life is the absence of ministry in it. The pursuit of wealth, influence and prominence in society has never achieved true joy in living. It is only in service to God and to others that people discover peace of mind and gladness of heart. Joy is the fruit as well as the fuel of faithful service. The author, Joseph Campbell, said the path of bliss lies in looking for ways that we can be of more service to those around us, giving joy both to ourselves and to those we are serving. It is God we serve for all the blessings He has given us.

Finally, joy and gladness of heart cannot be a part of our life unless we have the gift of hope — for the salvation that awaits us at the end of our earthly journey. Every follower of Christ bears in his heart joy in the fact that his own name is already written in heaven. This is the reason why we cannot help but “overflow in praise of God” to others. If we talk about Him often, it is not so much because it is our duty as because God is our delight.

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoiced in great riches . . . I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (Psalm 119:14,16). Thank You, Father for all your gifts — faith, generosity, gratitude, ministry, love, peace, hope, brotherhood — they are all the reasons why we rejoice in Your goodness to us. Amen.