How to do good

 

God loves a cheerful giver.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, June 21st, 2023
Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Psalm 112: 1b-4.9; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18 

Today’s message is about how to do good; not all giving is pleasing to God. Jesus tells us today how to give. He says, “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” What vitiates the deed here is the intention: the seeking of attention. Such is a desire for earthly glory. We should not do good to gain people’s attention but to glorify God. In today’s first reading, Apostle Paul says, “You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

Jesus speaks of alms, prayer and fast which win favour before God. They are those we do without seeking people’s attention. When we give alms, pray or fast, we are to do them without seeking attention from humans. We do not need people’s attention since we do them for God’s recognition. We only satisfy our ego and desire for earthly glory when we do good to seek attention. The God for whom we live and work can see in secret, so there is no need for publicity.  

Whatever we give should be according to our means

Apostle Paul, in today’s first reading, asks us to give cheerfully. He says, “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Whatever we will give and we will not be happy, we should not give it. Apostle Paul also speaks of the measure of the giving. He says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Whatever we give should be according to our means.

Apostle Paul tells us that God will always provide more than enough for us, that we may do good. In his words: “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” This is because it is God’s delight to see us bearing the fruits of righteousness. He always supplies what we need to live righteously. Our righteous living honours God and lead us to salvation of our souls. God provides whatever we make us live righteously.  

Prayer

Lord God, thank You for enlightening us on the right way to do good; fill us with Your love that we may live and work for Your glory and our salvation; strengthen the weak and sustain the strong in doing good. Amen

 
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke