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 Kings. The hospitality of a woman of Shunem is described. When Prophet Elisha passes through the countryside of Shunem, a woman recognizes him as a man of God. She shows great hospitality by giving him food and drink. Later, she makes arrangements for his comfortable stay in her home during his visits. The Lord God is pleased by her generosity and promised her a son whom she had awaited for many years.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul explains to the Christian community at Rome and us about the meaning of baptism and its significance in the life of a Christian. To be baptized in the name of Jesus means that through the grace and power of the risen Lord, we are dead to sin and we live in holiness with Him.
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. In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the great virtue of hospitality in the life of a follower of the Lord. Jesus' demands from His would be followers are rather harsh. He demands threefold renunciation from them. 1. He who loves father or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him. 2. He who loves son or daughter more than Him is not worthy to follow Him. 4. He who does not take up his cross and follow Him is not worthy of Him. Certainly we need to love our parents and our near and dear ones. But Jesus makes it absolutely clear that this love of others and of oneself should never be at the cost of loving God. Love of God should take precedence over all our other priorities. Jesus promises His would-be followers that the hospitality and the generosity shown to them by anyone will be suitably rewarded - even if that be a glass of water (to His disciples).
"God loves a cheerful giver." - 1 Corinthians 9:7
"For the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Luke 6: 38
"God will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conducts their affairs with justice". - Psalm 112: 5
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