Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 13^th Sunday of the Year – July 2, 2017

Readings: 2 Kings 4:8-11,13-16; Responsorial Psalm Ps 88:2-3,16,19; 

Rom 6:3-4,8-11 & Gospel Matthew 10:37-42.

Theme: Of Giving & a Prophet’s Blessing!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, food and shelter constitute critical human needs. When these are in place in a family, life becomes easy as other human needs like clothing and education fall in place. However, in the African context, what seemingly makes a family complete is the blessing of a child. Childless families go through pains while waiting for a miracle. Our first reading (2 Kings 4:8-11,13-16) today presents us with the uncanny generosity of a Shunammite family, in that kind of situation, who provided the Prophet Elijah with food and shelter.

As it were, in appreciation for their magnanimous deed, the Prophet promised them a child. It is obvious that food, shelter and a descent life were not out of reach for this family. What is crucial was their open-handedness. Their generosity to the Prophet fast tracked a miracle for this family. It was the miracle of a lifetime because the husband was well off in years. In this story, we learn how material generosity brings about spiritual blessings.

In a similar scenario in the scripture, we are told that Jesus watched the Scribes putting their money in the 13 collection chests that were available in the synagogue. As expected, the rich did so in a very arrogant manner. He noticed this widow who dropped two copper coins and praised her for her generosity. By using this poor widow as a prototype for generosity, Jesus presents her as a paradoxical hero. The lesson is, in the sight of God, a little with a pure heart is better that much gotten from loot. Apparently, until it pains, giving is only a show.           
         

Three Types of Givers

We shall reflect on three types of givers in the light of our liturgical theme:

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). 

2. 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). 
               

3. 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 purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion" (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

Four Kinds of Giving

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 a variety of gifts, talents and all the duties and services of life to use them for his glory (1 Pet 4:10), spiritual giving creates a platform for us to support the work of God in kind and whichever way we can. When parents motivate their children to take to the priestly and religious life, it constitute spiritual giving. Our priests and religious who leave everything to follow Christ epitomize spiritual giving. We ought to support their ministry with our prayers. Jesus insists that (Matthew 10:37-42) calls us to take up our cross and follow him so as to gain spiritual reward. 
  

4. Material Giving: Material giving connotes supporting the mission of the Church in cash. Not all of us can go to the mission as priests, religious or laity yet our finances can aid the missionary enterprise. This is where the saying: “Some give to the mission by going, some go the mission by giving” makes sense. This kind of giving was demonstrated by Shunammite family in the first reading. In the gospel, Jesus says, “Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward.”  This is why we must support the Church (priests and religious) with our time, treasure and talents. 

Conclusion

Our liturgy calls us to emulate this Shunammite family by being qualitative givers not quantitative givers. We must shun being: 1. Ought givers - giving because we ought to give not because we are convinced to; and, 2. Grudge givers - complaining while giving. On the contrary, we to be THANKS GIVERS for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). God bless!