HOMILY OF TUESDAY OF THE 8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15, Mark 10:28-31
THEME: GIVE AND TAKE
Life is give and take. It is beautiful when we learn to give. It may be depressing when we give to take. Our greatest sorrow comes from our expectations. When we all learn to give, we all will surely take. What goes around, comes around.
Our first reading centers around the theme of giving. “Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord’s presence.” When we give, it must come from the heart. We are what we give. If our hands are not clean, our offerings are unclean as well. “A virtuous man’s offering graces the altar, and its savour rises before the Most High.” No one can bribe God.
Our donation or offering may win us the front seat here on earth, unless our service is truly for the sake of God’s kingdom, all will be in vain. When Peter questioned Jesus, saying they had left everything to follow Him. Jesus assured that those who sacrifice for Him and the gospel will be rewarded abundantly, despite persecutions, in this life and the next.”
For those who give for their self-aggrandizement, the Lord says, “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” it is not all about present gain. We must look forward beyond earthly reward.
May all the things we do be sown for an eternal harvest. Amen
