Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it” — when you have it with you. – Proverbs 3:27-28

       I love the idea of a garage sale, because it does everyone a world of good. Families are able to dispose of unwanted things and earn extra money, and passersby acquire cool finds with the dignity of buying them at great bargains.

       My dad, who was a whiz with numbers, loved being the cashier. Whenever a customer came to pay, Dad would look the person in the eye, flash a warm smile, and give some trivia about each item. Then he would compute the total amount and announce it to the customer. Then comes his favorite part. He would give a discount — usually a huge one! The rest of us disapproved of this, telling him it was unnecessary to give discounts on already cheap prices. But Dad ignored us and sometimes even gave things away when he felt a customer really liked it or needed it badly.

       But this was who Dad was, not only during garage sales, but every day. Although far from rich, Dad never thought twice about giving people money, clothes, food, advice, time or prayers they needed. His satisfaction was in doing good for others right at the moment of need.

Reflection: What do you have today that will make others happy? Give it away!

Lord, make me sensitive and generous to the needs of others.

St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, pray for us.

The Book of Proverbs is originally an instruction on how to behave in the court of a king. Read through the Book one day when you have a spare hour or two and keep this focus in mind, and you will begin to see how practical is the advice that we find here. Living in the court of a king is a political exercise of how to win friends and influence people. When it comes to proclaiming the Gospel, the same is true, only that we have the Holy Spirit on our side working to convert us to a life of faith in Christ.

28 [27] Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. 29 [28] Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once. 30 [29] Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you. 31 [30] Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. 32 [31] Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: 33 [32] To the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship. 34 [33] The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; 35 [34] when he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

R: The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

2 He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart 3 and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R) 5 Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)

We are all called to be evangelists and let the light of the Gospel shine through our lives, so that all who see us will turn to Christ and accept the gift of salvation that He offers us. Light does not discriminate as to where it shines — it simply goes forth to penetrate the darkness and light the way. Let us pray that our lives will do this and that we will all become a light for others to follow.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

16 Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

think:  We are called to be evangelists and let the light of the Gospel shine through our lives, so that all who see it will turn to Christ and the gift of salvation He offers us.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT

One evening, I was traveling to a prayer meeting in the Papua New Guinea highlands. It was a stormy night. And there was a display of lightning across the sky. It was so powerful that everything became like day. Everything was lit up by the night sky. I have not forgotten its power and attractiveness. Because the night was so dark, the lightning had a powerful impact. Everything was exposed.

       St. John tells us of Jesus as light of the world. Having come into the world, Jesus is like that powerful lightning across the sky. Jesus exposes all and illumines all who seek to follow Him. His person as well as His teachings illumine our lives and drive away the power and darkness of sin. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples that once light is exposed, it cannot hide anything. A lamp is put on a lampstand so everything within its path can be seen. Each one of us is entrusted with a responsibility. When we receive the light through Jesus, we must also display that light. For the Jew, only light exists. Darkness is nonexistent. Jesus is the light that penetrates the darkness of our soul.

       Those who have heard the Gospel and put it into practice are living in the light. More grace will be added to them. However, for those who are unfaithful and timid in living in the light, grace will abandon them.

       Be very careful, adds Jesus, of the way we live and act, for that will be our judge. Live in the light of the Lord by confessing our sins, frequenting communion, and being a light to others through our words, actions and apostolate. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: How can you be more of a light to the world?

Light of the world, You call me to be the same. Through my life, may I give praise to my heavenly Father. Amen.