Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest
As an Engineer, it’s easy for me to look at today’s readings as a literal, numerical economy, as if my gifts to God with be given back with a 7 to 100 fold rate of return. What a deal! But there’s more to today’s readings than investment advice. God is offering us a way to peace that will free us both tomorrow and today.
In Sirach today, the divinely inspired author is giving advice on how to give to the temple or the Church. Physical offerings, like money and flour, are important. Equally important are gifts of justice and generosity to one’s neighbors. Whether your “Love Language” is gift-giving, time, or acts of service, our God is happy to accept these gifts! Ideally, we give to please God, out of love. We don’t give to “buy off” the big guy and get divine favors; we just Love Jesus and want to make Him proud. Do you Love the Lord like that? I find myself asking the Holy Spirit to fill me with a Love for God that will drive me to have a generous heart. And I need the help! I have a good family, some good friends, and I have accumulated some good things. I cling to them, and it’s tempting to be a miser or an uncheerful giver when someone around me needs some of what I have.
Yesterday Jesus asked the wealthy man to sell everything he had, and like little kids, the apostles in today’s gospel raise their hands and say “we’ve already given away everything, look at us!” Are they waiting for the divine favor, or just expecting God to provide, like he promised through Sirach? I’m not sure what Peter and the rest were thinking, but I believe Jesus’s teaching beautifully completes the promise of Sirach: Whenever we offer something or someone to the Lord, we will receive back something or someone far greater. We don’t need to cling to our toys, our wealth, or even our relationships with family, friends, and partners. Jesus will meet every need!
This is much better than job security, a big circle of friends, a raise, a close family, or a guaranteed pension. When we risk it all to follow Jesus, he does promise us persecution, suffering, and hard times. But he also promises a hundred-fold increase, and eternal life to follow. Let us Love our God by giving generously, and wait in peace for his promised return.
-Chris Nieport