IS THERE A REWARD FOR GENEROSITY?

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Readings:

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Psalm 112:1-2,5-9

John 12:24-26

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The Catholics celebrate the Feast of Saint Lawrence, one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome who was martyred on 10th August, 258 by Emperor Valerian. The emperor ordered him to hand over the wealth of the Church to the Roman authorities. Instead, Lawrence gave the Church’s valuables to the poor. He then showed up in front of the emperor with the poor, crippled and sick. He told the emperor that these people were ‘the true wealth of the Church’ and that it was all he could offer the emperor. Offended by this, Emperor Valerian sentenced him to death by being roasted on a gridiron (like suya!). Keeping his sense of humour to his dying breath, he famously said, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side!”

It takes grace to laugh in the face of pain and even more grace to suffer pain because of love. Saint Paul has this to say about generous persons: “God loves a cheerful giver. There is no limit to the blessings which God can send you” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Because their hearts and their hands are open to others, God never stops filling them with His gifts. And if we love others because of God, a huge reward awaits us, and we shall never be sad. The Psalmist adds that the generous person shall raise his or her head in glory, meaning that they will never lose heaven (Psalm 112:9). This is the reason we celebrate Saint Lawrence today.

Saint Lawrence preferred to support the poor rather than be intimidated by the wicked and powerful. He entrenched the understanding that people are more valuable than things. We must never place a higher value on material things than persons whom God created in His image and likeness, irrespective of their social class. Saint Lawrence was preserved from the pains of martyrdom because the joy of His generosity was greater. Greater still shall be your joy if you open your heart and your hands to assist everyone who genuinely seeks your assistance. As much as you can, assist others with your time, talent and treasure and God will continue to bless you.

JUDE-MARY OWOH

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Prayer:

1. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

2. My goodness, and my fortress, my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdues my people under me.

3. Dear Lord, bless us with hearts that beat with love for you and for those who are in need of your love.

4. Make me an instrument of your loving care to everyone I meet today, through Christ our Lord.

5. Lord give us Christian homes where the children are led to know Christ in His beauty who loves them, in Jesus' name.

6. Father by Your mercy and mighty power, thank You for moving our nation forward, in Jesus' name Amen.