Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk. 6:27-38) "Give It All Away."
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk. 6:27-38) “Give it All Away.”
“Teach me to serve as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds. To labor and not to seek to rest, to give and not to accept reward, except the reward of knowing I am doing your will.” Words of St. Ignatius Loyola.
The words reflect the themes of the Sermon on the Plain that Jesus gives in the Gospel of Luke. We have two things in life that are hard to give away. One, is the gift of forgiveness. The other is our processions.
David gave a wonderful example of loving one’s enemy in the first Book of Samuel. Saul was the king that preceded David in Israel. David was anointed before Saul had died so this created a very uncomfortable situation (two kings at the same time). As David became more popular with people, Saul became more jealous. His envy of David led to a seething anger towards David. In chapter 18 of 1st Samuel, David is playing the harp in Saul’s presence. Saul picks up his spear. He tries to kill David with it. The relationship between the two men deteriorates to the point that David must flee. He becomes a fugitive, yet he wouldn’t seek Saul’s crown.
On two occasions David has a chance to kill Saul, but he doesn’t. In chapter 24 of 1st Samuel, Saul hears David is hiding in the desert. He takes 3,000 men to pursue David. At one point, Saul goes into a cave to relieve himself. David is hiding in the cave. David’s friends tell him to kill Saul, but instead he cuts off the end of Saul’s mantel. When Saul leaves the cave, David steps into the open. He bows down out of respect for King Saul. He shows him the end of the mantel. He points out that he could have killed Saul. Saul, full of shamefacedness, let’s David go. But the argument between the two men continued.
The second story of David sparing Saul is related in the first lesson today. David could have killed Saul with his own spear, but David didn’t take the Kingdom from Saul by force. He waited until Saul died in battle before he took the kingdom. David forgave Saul, his enemy repeatedly. David is an example of a man who could forgive his enemies.
Who in the Bible is of unselfish generosity? We might think the story of St. Mary anointing Jesus’ with precious oil in the 12th chapter of the Gospel of John. The incident happened a week before Jesus died. Mary spread the precious oil on Jesus’ feet. She wiped his feet with her hair. Judas points out how the oil might be sold. “What a waste,” he says. But Jesus is struck by how Mary is willing to give everything she has to him.
As we reflect on Stewardship today, we realize that Stewardship is not a transaction. When we give of ourselves in service of the Lord, we won’t always receive something back. In a world where there is a sense that a person should receive compensation for every deed, the concept of Christian Stewardship doesn’t make sense. The church must rely on the generosity of its members if it is to function. The baptized give their gifts out of one motivation, “Love of the God.” Just like forgiveness of enemies makes no sense. Giving time and treasure to the church makes no sense.
Today, we ask for concrete action in our parish community as we celebrate a Stewardship Sunday. We need ministers of hospitality (ushers and greeters) to welcome people to Mass. We are asking for Readers to proclaim the Scriptures. We are also asking for Eucharistic ministers to distribute the Body of Christ. We are also requesting that people serve funeral dinners which is ministry to the sorrowing. We need people to reach out to the poor through the St. Vincent DePaul program. Finally, we are asking for a commitment to our offertory collection so we can pay our day-to-day bills. None of this giving expects repayment. For worldly people, Christian charity makes no sense. But considering all this sacrifice from a Gospel perspective, it makes perfect sense because we are followers of Jesus.
I have made many retreats in my life. I still remember my first retreat which occurred 46 years ago. One of the speakers held up a burning candle. He shared that he considered it a perfect symbol for Christian life. The candle wax feeds a flame that gives light to the world. The candle’s wax also can represent people’s gifts to God.
A Christian gives throughout life just like a candle burning. Candles burn out when there is no more wax. A Christian gives until the moment of death. When we die, we hope to say, “I have nothing left to give. I have given everything to Jesus.”
Reflection Questions:
- When did I last give the gift of forgiveness? Who needs my forgiveness today?
- What is my most precious possession? Could I part with it if it meant I had served Christ?
Dear Parishioners,
We burn our palms the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. We also burn our offertory commitment cards. The palms come from last Palm Sunday. The cards represent our almsgiving. When we are anointed with Ashes we are reminded of death, our physical death and the death of our selfishness.
During this Lent we will be asking everyone to make an altar in your home. Perhaps it can be in a quiet corner where you can go and pray. Each week we are going to ask that people place new symbols on the altar that represent the Christian life. Each week we will send a prayer service home with each household. It will contain reflection questions for your use. You can use the question for your own personal reflection, or you may discuss them with the people you live with. If you wish, you can invite others into your home to pray and reflect with.
We are trying to provide something that everyone can use for spiritual growth. Some people are comfortable getting together with others. Other people are still reluctant. I hope this spiritual exercise will be meaningful to you, your family, or your friendship circle. The first prayer exercise will be given to everyone on Ash Wednesday.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. We hope to have the work in the church completed by Ash Wednesday. Thank you for your patience.