Sunday, February 26, 2023

The Glory of Almsgiving

Meditation for Monday of the First Week of Lent
(Lev 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:31-46)

As we continue our Lenten journey this week, the readings of today underline the importance of charity, especially at this season. In the first reading, Moses rolled out to the people several laws regarding how they were to relate and treat each other. “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another…You shall not oppress your neighbor or rub him.” Life is so dynamic, and so are the points of human interaction. While the laws guide us on the right way to treat our neighbor, they cannot make such relationship perfect.

 

So, Jesus steps in to show us the perfect way, which is charity. Yes, charity covers all we are mandated to avoid against our neighbor, at the same time, it satisfies all we are expected to do for our neighbor. Jesus said on the last day, the Son of man will come in His glory, and all the angels with Him, and, sitting on His glorious throne, He will judge all peoples according to the acts of charity they performed to their neighbor. “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food…” On the other hand, those who failed to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, etc, will be cast into the eternal fire.

 

Meditate on the glory of charity as the King comes in His glory and sits on His glorious throne to separate the righteous from the unrighteous, i.e. He separates the charitable from the uncharitable. Thus, charity sets us apart! It is a distinguishing virtue. And it communicates the glory of Jesus. Whenever we practice almsgiving, especially at this season of Lent, we shall experience a taste of glory. And this serene joyful touch of glory is proof that a particular act of charity is true and divinely inspired. Therefore, every act of almsgiving becomes a step forward into divine glory. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday February 27th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

8 comments:

  1. Enriching and a timeless reminder for us to treat others with love.

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  2. Very insightful. May God bless you, Padre. Have a fruitful day ahead

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    1. Very interesting but we should be like Jesus when we lift a hand to help the poor by not letting our friends or neighbors know about about our acts of charity.In doing this we are imitating Jesus

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    2. Yes, Yes, that is part of what makes genuine charity. Thanks so much.

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  3. Beautiful reflection. Almsgiving it is for me during this period. Thanks Padre

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