Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14, 12-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Always Do Good
1. When you give. Christians are called to be generous—not only with material possessions, but also with their time and prayers. Giving of yourself to others is essential, as it helps you realize that your own struggles aren’t the only ones that exist; everyone faces different challenges. But when we don’t open ourselves up to others, we let ourselves be shut in by selfishness. If you close yourself off from others, you risk becoming trapped by selfishness. Sometimes, you might find yourself complaining about trivial things, like playing the same video game repeatedly, without noticing that someone nearby struggles to afford medicine for their child. Practicing generosity and solidarity teaches valuable lessons.
2. The reward. Avoid the selfish belief that the world should revolve around you; instead, learn to give without expecting anything in return. Throughout life, you’ll encounter people who will help you, and you should also be ready to help others. As you journey through life, you’ll discover that, over time, sincere generosity brings you meaningful rewards.
3. Blessed. Learn to do things for God, love selflessly, without seeking recognition or reward. It is there, in giving of yourself, that you manage to grow spiritually and humanly. The essence of life is giving all you can without expecting anything back. In selfless giving, you grow both spiritually and personally. It is here that true joy and happiness emerge, echoing Saint Paul’s teaching: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.” Remember that God grants you life—and life in abundance.
Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
