To Truly Give

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is speaking about what it truly means to give and be generous. He uses the example of planning a dinner and inviting people over. At first, one would think to invite those who are very important and rich, so that you might be able to network and have conversations with them so that one day they might repay the favor to you. Jesus takes this notion a step further to say to invite the poor and the lowly. “ Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” (Lk 14:13). Invite the people who will never be able to repay you back. Do this, because in doing so you are not seeking a return, but are giving with your full heart. To give with a full heart brings true joy and happiness not only for the one that receives but for the one who gives as well. When we give and donate to places of charity, the amount is never the first thing that is looked it, it is who is giving it, and how it is given. Anyone can write a check, but those who choose to spend time behind a soup kitchen, or talking to a stranger, or passing out toys to children... these are the true gifts. This is not to discredit any monetary donations by any means, but it is important to look past the donation itself and to see where the intention is. Am I giving because I want to love those with no return in sight, or am I expecting some good to come out of this for me? When we give, and truly give, we are helping to build the kingdom of God because the sacrifice that ensues from our gift is the type of sacrifice that Jesus is calling us to have. Sacrificial love is true love.

Reflection: How can I truly give today?

Lord God, thank you for today and everyday. Thank you for your love and mercy you have showered me with. Please Lord, help me to see your love as an endless gift toward me, and allow me to have an open heart to be able to give and love to others just as you give and love to me. I pray, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

Resource: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110518.cfm