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Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
Lectionary: 618
Reading 12 COR 9:6-10
Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
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.
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.
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
This is a very true lesson. In the business world, people say, "you have to spend money to make money". The bottom line is that you can't play it safe and expect to profit. The same is true in the spiritual realm. In order to reap spiritual benefits, we must spread spiritual blessings.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.
We each have a calling. And we must accomplish our calling without grumbling. What is our calling? What are you doing right now? If you are a garbage collector, do it cheerfully, letting everyone see that you are a person who loves God and loves his neighbor. If you are a business man in an office, do it with love for those who work for you and for whom you work. If you are between jobs, do that with passion and with a grateful heart towards God.
Our job is not our calling. Our job is our vehicle to accomplish our calling. Our calling is to love God and love neighbor with all our heart and soul.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.
Thus, spread your seed, which is love and you will make friends in temporary tents who will welcome you into permanent tents, in heaven, when the time arises.
Responsorial PsalmPS 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.
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.
Be generous with the things God has given you. They are not for you alone. They are for you and all who surround you. Especially for your family and those dear to you. But do not forget the stranger in need.
GospelJN 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.”
“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.”
Do not love yourself to death. Yes, we must take care of ourselves. But we must not dote on ourselves to the exclusion of others. Life is not about us but about loving God and accomplishing His will in this world. Then He will welcome us with open arms in the next.
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