Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Generosity in Giving
Dear Friends,
A reading from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 8:1-15):
We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously, they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones, and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God, so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also. Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also.
I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others. For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
And I am giving counsel in this matter, for it is appropriate for you who began not only to act but to act willingly last year: complete it now, so that your eager willingness may be matched by your completion of it out of what you have. For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have; not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. As it is written: “Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.”
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Some thought we would have a rainy day yesterday, but it was sunny the whole afternoon. I thank the Lord for the nice days.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Open your heart to help the poor, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who wish to follow Me. If you have a surplus this year, go and help the poor that live in your town or village. There are poor people everywhere. Some have no place to sleep at night and others have nothing to eat. If you help this poor people, you are helping Me because I have identified Myself with every poor person living in the world. Those who throw away the poor, they should know that they are throwing Me away for I am the one at your door dressed in rags. You too one day will be poor and in need of help, then those who have more will come and help you and you will be very thankful. Follow My teachings, My friends, and you will be blessed. I love you all.”
Father Melvin