St. LAWRENCE, DEACON & MARTYR 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Remember: the one who sows meagerly will reap meagerly,

And there shall be generous harvests for the one who sows generously. Each of you should give as you decided personally, and not reluctantly as if obliged. God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to fill you with every good thing, so that you have enough of every­thing at all times, and may give abundantly for any good work.

 Scripture says: He distributed, he gave to the poor, his good works last forever. God who provides the sower with seed will also provide him with the bread he eats. He will multiply the seed for you and also increase the interests of your good works.

 

Ps 112 1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 12:24-26

Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

 Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life.

 Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Fr. Ruben Villote, the founder of Manila Migrant Youth Center, once shared that real generosity is giving with a pinch. That means letting go of something I value so much that it pains me giving it away.

Giving out of surplus, the ones beyond my need, is not really charity. It is called disposure – like disposing a trash to a bin. You ask parents, lovers, martyrs they do not give in order to have a good feeling or to appease deep pity towards someone.

They do not believe in advices like “when you love someone, leave something for yourself.” They will tell you it is not real love. This entails that the receiver is someone I cannot leave without.

When we offer something to God, He wants the best we have, our life. Otherwise, when we are giving God leftovers we treat him like a trash can.