“Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life...” – Tobit 12:9

      I usually celebrate my birthdays with parties or vacations abroad. Last year, I chose to have a quiet birthday. I just called a few friends, bought a hundred burgers and juices, and wrote simple Post-it notes to go along with the snacks. We roamed the streets of Manila on a sunny afternoon, and gave food to street vendors and less fortunate brothers and sisters.

       It was a different kind of birthday treat. I thought I just wanted to give back. But each time I extended my hand outside the car window, I knew I was the one who received more. Each time we waved at them and gave them the burgers they were surprised to get, our hearts were warmed with their joyous smiles. I’ve never heard “Salamat po” spoken so genuinely. One man was even in tears as he pointed skyward when he held the food on his hands, praising the Lord for the gift he didn’t expect to receive.

       When we give, we don’t only bless the people who will receive, but we’re even more blessed because of it. That’s the miracle of giving — of loving. Ruby Albino (r_jean07@yahoo.com)

Reflection:Be a miracle to someone today. Visit a charity, give alms, donate to your parish, help the elderly.

Lord, use me today so I may be a blessing to the world. Bless the works of my hands so I can always give more to Your Kingdom here on earth.

Blessed Joachima, pray for us.

Raphael revealed his true identity to Tobit and Tobiah as God’s messenger or angel of healing. He affirmed the righteousness of Tobit and his family and encouraged them to continue in their fasting and almsgiving. Let us take as our own these words of encouragement. Almsgiving and fasting have been forgotten in our material and secular societies.

1 Tobit called his son Tobiah and said to him, “Son, see to it that you give what is due to the man who made the journey with you; give him a bonus too.” 5 So he called Raphael and said, “Take as your wages half of all that you have brought back, and go in peace.” 6 Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: “Thank God! Give Him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Honor and proclaim God’s deeds and do not be slack in praising Him. 7 A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you. 8 Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold; 9 for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life; 10 but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies. 11 “I will now tell you the whole truth; I will conceal nothing at all from you. I have already said to you, ‘A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be made known with due honor.’ 12 I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead. 13 When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead, 14 I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” 20 So now get up from the ground and praise God. Behold, I am about to ascend to Him who sent me; write down all these things that have happened to you.”

R: Blessed be God, who lives forever.

2 He scourges and then has mercy; he casts down to the depths of the netherworld, and he brings up from the great abyss. No one can escape his hand. (R) 6 So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of ages. (R) In the land of my exile I praise him, and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation. (R) 7 Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones, 8 and may all of you praise his majesty, celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise. (R)

GOSPEL 

Other people will know the kind of person that we are through our actions. So it is important for us to be mindful of our choices. Holiness is not what we wear, how long we pray, or even about the fervor of our prayer. Holiness is about loving. Let us set our priorities right and grow in holiness every day.

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

38 In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, 39 seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” 41 He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. 44 For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

Read the Bible in one year 1 Kings 9-11

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

THE RIGHT ATTENTION

One of the dangers of up-front ministry is that of seeking attention for our own glory, and forgetting that all the glory belongs to God alone. The minister of the Gospel is first and foremost the servant of God. He should never seek to draw attention to himself in his ministry. This can be difficult in certain cultures where the cult of the individual can develop quite naturally. In these situations, everything possible should be done to avoid such a development. We see in the example of Jesus and the lives of the saints the role of humility in the successful exercise of a ministry. Without humility, there will be problems both within the life of the individual, and within the ministry and community to which he belongs.

       It is right and good to honor the efforts of those who minister, but this should always have God as the ultimate focus. God is the healer and redeemer, not the minister. God works through His chosen people, and we must always remember this with full humility. Let us pray for those who lead us, that God will use them powerfully for the work of the Gospel and yet keep them humble. If we can keep the right balance, then God will remain as the Author of all the good things we do. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

----------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -----------

How do you remain humble in the things that God does through you? How do you ensure that you keep the focus on God, that He gets the glory when affirming others for their service in His Kingdom?

Holy Spirit, help me to always be truthful in ascribing all the good that I do to God’s mercy and grace at work in my life. Amen.