Philippians 4:10-19, Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 8-9, Luke 16:9-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Philippians 4:10-19, Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 8-9, Luke 16:9-15

Philippians 4:10-19

My Beloved, love always makes itself visible in deeds. At the first opportunity of being able to show St. Paul how much they love him, the people of Philippi did so.  St. Paul is happy not so much because they provided for him in his time of need as he is at their generosity of spirit in doing so.  Often we may say many things but when it comes to action we fall back and are reluctant to give as we ought.

How wonderful if we too were able to say, "I learned to manage with what I have."  We live in an age which promotes a constant desire for the next best things available and so we are never satisfied with what we have.  However, if we had the discipline required to be content in want and plenty we too could say, "I can o all things in Him who strengthens me." 

I thank You my Beloved for the consoling knowledge that even the little I offer for love of You will be accepted as fragrant offerings pleasing to God and that, "God himself will provide you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus."

Thank You my Beloved.

Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 8-9

My Beloved, how good it is to know that those who fear You and delight in obeying Your command to love are assured that their children will be blessed.

Those who give with open hand and a generous heart who are honest and just treating all people with fairness, will be loved and remembered by You forever.  Life with You will be their reward.  The one who lives in Your love and walks in the light of Your truth will walk with confidence, for he knows that if God be for him, who can be against him? No hand raised against Your own will prevail.

Luke 16:9-15

My Beloved, all that we have, whether temporal or spiritual are gifts given to us to be used wisely.  We do not hoard what we have received and if we use our material goods honestly we will do the same with the spiritual gifts that we have received.

All we receive must be used for good always. If we love the things of the earth and put a greater emphasis on acquiring worldly possessions there is a grave danger that we will have neither the desire not the inclination for the things that are eternal.  We can make a great pretense of course and we can fool the world but You who sees and knows all things will judge us and if we have loved and served mammon with greater zeal than we have loved and serve God we ought not to be surprised when we are cast out as strangers.