First Reading: 1Tim 6:2c-12; Psalm: 49. R. v. Mt 5:3; Gospel: Lk 8:1-3

GIVING TO THE MISSION

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

John wished he was a priest. He had applied severally to the seminary but was not admitted. Age was no longer on his side; so he decided to start the job of shoe-making. Whenever John went for Mass, he always wished he was the presiding priest standing on the altar. On this day, John asked his priest if he could make his shoes. “I would be glad” Fr. Joe replied. The first day Fr. Joe wore one of the shoes made by John to Mass, John was so glad. After the Mass that day, John said to Fr Joe, “Fr, I may not have succeeded in becoming a priest; but my shoes succeeded in getting to the altar.”

There is a saying, “Some give to the missions by going and some go to the missions by giving.” The generosity of some devoted women in the gospel of today is a practical example of those who go to the mission by giving. These women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and several others) provided for Jesus and the twelve out of their means to support their missionary work. Their generosity and kind-heartedness contributed immensely to the sustenance of the apostles. This sacrifice became their means of supporting and spreading the Good News.

We can be missionaries too by giving. We can do this through our generosity and support to the Church on mission. In this way, we also participate in the spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is not asking us to do too much. Our little support becomes invaluable when offered for the sake of the gospel. So, just like these devoted women in the gospel of today, we are encouraged not to relent in our little support and prayers; for they go a long way in sustaining the mission of the Church. Although we may not be able to provide for our world all that it needs; but we can serve as a conduit to give the world the things we cannot offer.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, give us a generous heart to support the work of the gospel. Amen.