GOD REWARDS A GRACEFUL GIVER
First Reading: 2 Kings 4: 8-11 and 14-16
Second Reading: Romans 6: 3-4 and 8-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 37-42
*First reading is from the second book of the Kings. This passage describes the hospitality of a woman of Shunem. When Prophet Elisha passed through Shunem this woman recognized him as a man of God and showed hospitality by giving him food and drink. Further she made arrangements for his comfortable stay in her home during his visits. God was pleased by her actions and rewarded her generosity with the promise of a son whom she was waiting for.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul explains to the Christian community in Rome about the meaning of baptism in the name of Lord Jesus. To be baptized means that through the grace and power of the risen Lord we are dead to sin and live in holiness.
"He who receives you receives me"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The first part of the Gospel passage speaks about the necessity of following Jesus even to the point of death. And the second part of the Gospel speaks about the virtue of hospitality in the life of a follower of the Lord.
Jesus' demands from his would-be followers is rather harsh. He demands threefold renunciation from them.
1. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.
2. He who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
3. He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Certainly we need to love our parents, children and near and dear ones. But Jesus makes it absolutely clear that this love of others and of oneself should not be at the cost of loving God. Love of God should take precedence over all our other priorities.
Jesus also promises His disciples that hospitality shown to them by anyone will be suitably rewarded - even if that be a glass of cold water.
"God loves a cheerful giver."- 2 Corinthians 9:7
"For the measure you use, it will be measured to you ."- Luke 6:38
"Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conducts their affairs with justice."-Psalm 112:5
First Reading: 2 Kings 4: 8-11 and 14-16
Second Reading: Romans 6: 3-4 and 8-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 37-42
*First reading is from the second book of the Kings. This passage describes the hospitality of a woman of Shunem. When Prophet Elisha passed through Shunem this woman recognized him as a man of God and showed hospitality by giving him food and drink. Further she made arrangements for his comfortable stay in her home during his visits. God was pleased by her actions and rewarded her generosity with the promise of a son whom she was waiting for.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul explains to the Christian community in Rome about the meaning of baptism in the name of Lord Jesus. To be baptized means that through the grace and power of the risen Lord we are dead to sin and live in holiness.
"He who receives you receives me"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The first part of the Gospel passage speaks about the necessity of following Jesus even to the point of death. And the second part of the Gospel speaks about the virtue of hospitality in the life of a follower of the Lord.
Jesus' demands from his would-be followers is rather harsh. He demands threefold renunciation from them.
1. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.
2. He who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
3. He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Certainly we need to love our parents, children and near and dear ones. But Jesus makes it absolutely clear that this love of others and of oneself should not be at the cost of loving God. Love of God should take precedence over all our other priorities.
Jesus also promises His disciples that hospitality shown to them by anyone will be suitably rewarded - even if that be a glass of cold water.
"God loves a cheerful giver."- 2 Corinthians 9:7
"For the measure you use, it will be measured to you ."- Luke 6:38
"Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conducts their affairs with justice."-Psalm 112:5
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