What makes a cheerful giver? How did the Saints serve with joy in their hearts, some to the very end by laying down their lives for their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ?
This is only possible when we come to the awareness of just how truly loved with are by God our Heavenly Father. And through His Son our Saviour, our hearts become bigger; as we are filled more and more with His love, with His grace. This happens through our ever deepening relationship with Him, we are transformed becoming more and more like Him. We begin to understand how by dying to ourselves and living for others we unite ourselves more fully to His Cross. We can unite our sufferings with His and through Him we will be raised to new life. Such then our joy! Amen
St Lawrence pray for us….
First reading
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 ·God loves a cheerful giverDo 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 12:24-26If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvestJesus 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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