Twenty-eightSunday of the Year, C – October 9, 2016.
Readings: 2 Kgs 5-14-17; Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 2 Tm 2:8-13; Gospel Lk 17:11-19.
Theme: Offering thanks & the Blessing of Giving
Our readings today centre on the theme of giving. In the first reading (2 Kgs 5-14-17), Naaman, the Syrian army General returns with his whole retinue to offer thanksgiving to God for cleansing him from leprosy. Coincidentally, only one out of the ten lepers who were cured by Jesus return to give thanks to God.
The action of both Naaman and the Samaritan was an indictment on the people of Israel who often failed to thank God for his numerous blessings in their lives. By singling out the Samaritan for praise, Jesus was presumably directing his rebuke to the sons and daughters of Israel for embarrassingly failing to offer thanks to God.
Elisha, the prophet of God, would reject the gifts offered by Naaman as an example for men of God to work for the Lord out of an ardent desire for saving souls not for sordid gain. In a society that is crazy with donor fatigue occasioned by tithes for blessings, giving for promotion and threats to unwilling givers, pastors of souls must re-access their vocation on the attitude of Elisha bearing in mind the words of ordination: “Work not for sordid gain...” and “Model your life according to the mystery of the Lord's cross.”
In taking some lessons about offering thanks to God, as our readings call us to, we must understand the various kinds of givers there are:
1. Thanks Givers: Thanks givers are those who, with a cheerful heart, offer a wholehearted service to God for his kindness and blessings in their lives. Often times, these Christians invite neighbours and colleagues to Church where they book Mass of thanksgiving to God for promotion, protection and provision.
Amidst family and friends, they dance to the altar of God bringing their gifts before him. Little wonder Paul says: "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
3. Ought Givers: Like the name implies, Ought Givers are Christians who give because they ought to give not because it is a dutiful service unto the Lord. A classical example of this category of people are Ananias and Sapphira who decided to hoard some parts of the money that accrued from the sale of their land and declared a little before the apostles.
They gave because others were giving not because they were convinced to give. The long and short of the story is that they were struck dead. (Cf. Acts 5:1-11).
2. Grudge Givers: Grudge givers are those who complain as soon as it is time for collection, levy, bazaar, tithe or launching of whatever sort in the parish. They are anti-giving. Most times, their money is for their enjoyment. They prefer to lavish their money on cars, building, wine, women, recharge card, DSTV to mention a few rather than “waste” it on any missionary enterprise.
It is because of this kind of givers that St. Paul said: "Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The three types of givers we have seen prepare us for the four kinds of giving there are:
1. Qualitative Giving: This is about setting aside the best of all that the Lord has given us to return thanks to him. It is because of this kind of giving that God accepted the sacrifice of Abel and rejected that of Cain (Gen 4:4 Cain). St. Paul insists that: "Each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2). Though the widow that gave two copper coins was poor, she gave more and was praised by Jesus (Mark 12:41-44).
2. Quantitative Giving: In this kind of giving, we are supposed to access our giving based on the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us. Givers never lack. St. Paul says "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6). Our second reading says, “But if we deny him, he will deny us” (2 Tm 2:12).
3. Spiritual Giving: Spiritual giving constitutes using our gifts and talents to the glory of God. Since God has given us a variety of gifts and talents, all our duties and services ought to channelled towards God's glory (1 Pet 4:10). Spiritual giving creates a platform for us to support the work of God in kind and in whichever way we can. When parents motivate their children to go into the priestly and religious life, it also amounts to spiritual giving.
4. Material Giving: Material giving connotes supporting the mission of the Church in cash. On this Sunday, our readings challenge us to learn from the two lepers who knew what it was to offer thanks to God. They inspire us to also appreciate the fact that all good things around us are sent from heaven above. May Mary the Mother of gratitude assist us as we pour out our lives as a libation to God for all the good gi[truncated by WhatsApp]
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