Theme: “Standing Firm as Overcomers”
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Malachi 3:16-4:2
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1-2,4-6,8-9
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 20:45-21:4
Homily by Fr. Romie-Jun Peñalosa
Fr. Jun started out his homily with rounding up today’s readings. In our first reading in Malachi, it was prophesied that the day will come when He will separate who is for Him and who is against Him. In the second reading, Paul gives a warning about simply being busybodies. He reminds them here to not be a burden, and in silence do our work. Finally in the Gospel, we learn about cultivating the heart of a cheerful giver.
God is always looking at us and He sees everything we do. Our actions will connote if we are for Him or against Him. Most importantly, our hearts will clearly show how much we value God in our lives.
With today’s readings, he shared with us three wrong attitudes in giving, and three proper attitudes when giving.
Three Wrong Attitudes:
- God hates selfishness.
- God hates it when you show off.
- God hates self-preserving.
These are some of the attributes that the Pharisees showed in their giving. The widow, however, showed something different. Though she was poor, she proved that no one is too poor to give to God. The widow’s mite was the best offering because with it, she gave her all, her everything. What we need to see is that every time we give to God, He observes you. God does not look at the amount but at the value of what you are giving. He even knows when we give away something that we need. Most importantly, God knows how much love you put into your giving.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 it says “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap [bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
With these, he then shared the following…
Three Attitudes of a Cheerful Giver
- Selfless – thinks of the other
- Sincere – not for show
- Sacrificial – does not give without value
As David once said, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)
God values why you give and how you give.
Fr. Jun then challenged the congregation to start doing sacrificial giving for the missions of the church. For as low as Php10.00 per week per family member, we can already raise funds for the mission. Let us be part of the work of the church in bringing out the Good News of the Gospel. Let us not just be busybodies, and let us ensure that we are seen by God as part of His flock through our sacrificial giving and love for Him.
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