Homily for Tuesday of the 8th week in ordinary time

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE EIGHT WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE I (MAY 30, 2023)

Sirach 35:1-12; Ps.50; Mark 10:28-31

The command to GIVE

Last Sunday, we celebrated the giving of the Holy Spirit to man. Yesterday, Jesus, while hanging on the cross, gave us His mother and gave His mother to us. For these past two days, what we have seen is the total self-empting of the Christ to humanity – the fullest expression of love. In Jesus, God gave man everything. The readings of today teach us how well we can reciprocate this uncommon kind gesture of total self-empting; it is by being charitable to others too. Since we have received freely, we must give freely.

In the first reading, the author of the book of Sirach talked about different levels of giving. First, he talked about the giving of our obedience and docility to God. This giving is foundational to others forms of giving. God desires that we become holy by keeping his commandments. Without righteousness, whatever we claim to do in God’s name becomes a waste. God also desires that we are kind to one another. We cannot claim to love God and act wickedly to others. Our presence and gesticulations in Church on Sundays amount to nothing if we do not deal kindly with others. Interestingly, this form of giving is affordable by all.

Second, Sirach talked about giving from our material resources to God. This is a very important aspect of Christian worship. It is true that very many persons, with different religious nomenclatures, have abused this aspect of Christian worship. The abuse is so massive and worrisome to the extent that some people no longer think that they should give to the Church anymore; for some, they would prefer to give directly to the poor. But these same people will not stop travelling because people die in accidents. Neither will they desist from bearing Children because some children are wayward. The point it, abuse does not nullify the true essence of a thing. The first reading of today clearly approves the offering of first fruits and tithe as a mark of worship. The Lord who established his Church to be sustained through charity, has also commanded believers to be charitable to the Church.

However, Sirach warned that this giving to God must not be with the intent of bribing God. We attempt bribing God when we give with unclean hands, from unclean sources or with unclean intention. Any intention that is not worship is unclean. So, if you give so that you are more respected by the Priest and the congregation, or so that you can be part of the decision makers in the Church, then your giving is inappropriate. Give simply to appreciate God who has emptied Himself for you in Jesus.

In the gospel reading, Jesus reveals that anyone who makes sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, will never go unrewarded. Jesus himself rewards generosity both in this life and in the life to come. Ours is simply to give and allow God reward us when and how he wishes to. Remember, no one is too poor that he/she does not have something to give. Your level of generosity is your level of gratitude.