How do you receive the abundant graces the Lord our God wants to pour out on you when both your hands are full? Full of your material gain, pride, recognition, title of honour, fear of losing and more. Unless you empty your hands to receive Him, your heart is empty.
When we die in the Lord, that is to offer up our life in loving sacrifice, we rise again in Him! More fully alive then we have ever been. So that even when we give till it hurts, we can do so joyfully. Knowing full well our reward is not of this world.
Lord Jesus let me be Your servant through and through in Your truth. Amen
First reading
2 Corinthians 9:6-10
God loves a cheerful giver
Do not forget: thin sowing means thin reaping; the more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you – he will make sure that you will always have all you need for yourselves in every possible circumstance, and still have something to spare for all sorts of good works. As scripture says: He was free in almsgiving, and gave to the poor: his good deeds will never be forgotten.
The one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide you with all the seed you want and make the harvest of your good deeds a larger one.
Gospel
John 12:24-26
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, most solemnly,
unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies,
it remains only a single grain;
but if it dies,
it yields a rich harvest.
Anyone who loves his life loses it;
anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life.
If a man serves me, he must follow me,
wherever I am, my servant will be there too.
If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’
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