Jesus commanded a young man: "Go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor" (Mt 19:21). Jesus came to preach the Good News to the poor (Lk 4:18). Jesus was poor (2 Cor 8:9), loves the poor, and expects us to make great sacrifices for the poor. At his conversion, Zacchaeus realized this and said: "I give half my belongings, Lord, to the poor" (Lk 19:8). The early Church also understood Jesus' emphasis on sacrificing for the poor. Some Christians gave to the poor even beyond their means so that Paul had to counsel them: "The willingness to give should accord with one's means, not go beyond them" (2 Cor 8:12). How many times have our pastors had to send our checks back to us because we had gone overboard in giving? Are we better than some early Christians in budgeting, or are we selfish and stingy by New Testament standards?
Missionaries, pastors, and relief organizations repeatedly tell us they desperately need money to reach people with the Gospel and to save the lives of the starving and the sick. They are telling us the truth. How can we stand by idly when our neighbor's life is at stake? (Lv 19:16) "I ask you, how can God's love survive in a man who has enough of this world's goods yet closes his heart to his brother when he sees him in need?" (1 Jn 3:17)
| PRAYER: | Prayer: Father, may I greatly increase my sacrificial giving to the poor. May I carefully discern every purchase and live a "more austere" lifestyle (Mission of the Redeemer, 59, Pope St. John Paul II). |
| PROMISE: | Promise: "The Lord took pity on their distressful cries of affliction under their oppressors." –Jgs 2:18 |
| PRAISE: | Praise: Pope St. Pius X was particularly devoted to the Blessed Virgin under the title "Our Lady of Confidence." He wished, through Mary, to renew all things in Christ. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College