PRAY TO RECEIVE FROM GOD, AND FAST TO GIVE TO HUMANITY

 Wednesday, June 21, 2023


ALOYSIUS GONZAGA, R. (Memorial)


First Reading.  2 Corinthians 9: 6-11

Psalm. 112: 1-4, 9 (R. 1 b)

Gospel. Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


DO NOT SHOW OFF, YOU DON'T NEED IT


Let me ask you,  those who were singing your praises 2, 3 years ago, where are they today? 

Will they still give you the same praise when  you first start to perform what attracted their praises 


My dear, please, the praise of God should be your priority and not that of man.


ABOUT ALMSGIVING


So, St. Paul reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver. Giving cheerfully means the  followings:


1. Giving without being forced to do so

2. Giving not to gain people's attention 

3. Giving and not blowing the trumpet 

4. Giving and not humiliating to receiver 

5. Giving and not expecting any payback

6. Giving and feeling the pains of the sacrifice

7. Giving not out of the leftover, but of widow's mite.

8. Giving unconditionally 

9. Give to help, and not buy favour. 

10. Giving because God was the first to give you, so giving to others in need is like giving back to God.


ABOUT FASTING


1. Fast from sin and not food.

2. Do not fast because of economic poverty, that is, due to lack of food.

3. Do not fast to save money when not there is no intention of giving to the poor.

4. Fast to mortify the flesh 

5. Fast to attract blessings,  and not to lose blessings. 

6. Fast not to seek men's approval, but to seek God's approval.

7. Fast for spiritual growth and not economic growth.

8. Fast from what you like, and not what you do not like.

9. Fasting should uplift your spirit and not your body.

10. Fast to reach out to others, and not for selfish reasons.


PRAYER.


1. To stop praying is to push God away

2. Pray with meaningful words, and not empty words

3. Pray calmly and do not rush. 

4. Respect God in prayer, by not shouting at Him

5. Do not pray to seek men's approval and attention

6. Your life must reflect the prayer you  prayed

7. Do not pray to hate, but pray to love 

8. Your prayer should not disturb other people's prayer

9. Learn to be thankful in prayer and not be ungrateful. 

10. Let prayer becomes your way of life.


It is when we practice our Christian virtues according to the Gospel that our sacrifices can be rewarded by the Lord.


Aloysius was determined to be a missionary, and even to die for his faith. He renounced his birthright in favour of his brother and at the age of 16 became a Jesuit novice in Rome, living the same life of severe austerity and penance that he had followed even when serving. In 1591 an epidemic of plague broke out in Rome, and the Jesuits opened a hospital to care for the sick. Aloysius, still a novice, worked hard in the hospital until he caught the plague. He did not recover; but, his determination to die for the faith having been fulfilled died at midnight on the 20th of June with the name of Jesus on his lips.

Peace ✌️ be with you 


Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

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