FIRST READING
“God loves a cheerful giver.”
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
Brethren: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 112: 1b-2.3-4.9 (R. 1 b)
R/. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the Lord,
who takes great delight in his commandments.
His descendants shall be powerful on earth;
the generation of the upright will be blest. R.
Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm forever.
A light rises in the darkness for the upright;
he is generous, merciful and just. R.
R/. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm forever.
His might shall be exalted in glory. R.
ALLELUIA John 14:23
Alleluia. If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street comers, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
William Shakespeare writes that “the quality of mercy is not strained.” Generosity ought to be cheerfully shown and not given out of compulsion. Any act of goodness given grudgingly or out of compulsion amounts to sowing sparingly. If we truly want to reap a rich harvest with our generosity and kindness, it must be done with a real smile on our face. Again, while giving, we must not blow our trumpet. The dignity of the receiver must also be respected. We cannot expect to reap bountifully from an act of goodness that is done to draw appreciation and praise from others. If we do it to be noticed by others, we forgo being noticed by God, who alone can reward us bountifully.