I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life. JN 18:12BC
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-10
My Soul's Beloved,
Thank You for the gifts You have given me. Thank You for the optimistic and cheerful nature with which You have blessed me. Thank You for creating me as I am and for the joy with which You bless me when I give at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. While it is true, Lord God, that I am easily dejected, and too thin-skinned sometimes, and I ought not to be so easily affected by what others say and do, I thank You for the grace to rebound quickly to being cheerful again. I know my Lord that were I not as You made me in my nature, I could easily allow negative emotions to prevail and I would make my life a misery to myself and others.
Nothing gives me greater joy than to give when I can and give as generously as my means make possible and this too is a gift and grace. Yet, I am also aware that I can be mean-spirited sometimes. I can allow my moods to affect my actions negatively this is displeasing to You and grieves the Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, I have nothing that I have not been given and I give away nothing that was not first given to me. I am only a steward of the modest means entrusted to me and You will demand a strict account of my stewardship. In Your compassion, when the hour of judgment arrives, be merciful my Lord, and judge me kindly.
Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.
The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.
PSALM 111(112):1-2,5-9
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends.
JOHN 12:24-26
It is so hard to die to myself, to die to my selfish demands, to die to concupiscence, to die to a desire for an easy and selfish life. It is hard to serve humbly, promptly, joyfully, and obediently always. There are times when I balk, a stubborn hardness rises in my spirit, I feel put upon, and I have to resist the temptation of believing that I need not always serve so readily. This a lie. True love never counts the cost but gives all especially when one is aware that You O Lord, have always been more generous than I deserve.
Now it is my turn to fall, to die, to be buried, and each time I do my Lord, You bless me richly. Thank You for the opportunities given to me now, to serve You by serving those nearest to me.
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’
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