Offerings to the Lord

In many instances in the bible there are references to offering a tenth of our income to the Lord. In one's perspective, the offering could be channeled through many ways such as charity to the less fortunate and donations to organizations and the church which work for the good of the society and man.

There are Catholics who follow this teaching to the letter. They may even offer more than 10 per cent to the Lord in his name. However, what good is it, if an offering is made in the name of the Lord if we do not follow the teachings and do not engage with the Lord in prayers. This is similar to a child who is earning well, and pays their parents’ bills and gives money for their expenditures, but never speaks to them or visits their parents. If you were the parent, would you accept the money given by such a child who does not care for you?

In the same sense, we the children of God should not think that paying back with the monetary wealth is enough, but should spend more time with God. We need to try and get closer to God through prayers and reflections. This spiritual growth should be complemented with the thanksgivings to God for the many blessings that he has bestowed upon us.

Bearing Witness to God

All of us our missionaries in Christ. Like God called Prophet Isiah; like God called St.Paul; like God called St. John the Baptist; all of us are also called to bear witness to Jesus.

In the same way, Blessed Joseph Vaz - the 'Apostle of Ceylon' - was called by Lord to bear witness and make the Church grow strong in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), which was going through difficult times under the colonization of the Dutch. The tercentenary anniversary of Blessed Joseph Vaz was celebrated on the 16th of January in Sri Lanka, seeking a fast canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15317b.htm)

In these times where the harvest is large, but the reapers are very few; we need to pray to the Lord our God to strengthen our faith, so that we may realize the many ways that Lord Jesus reveals himself to us, and so that we are the given the courage to tell the world who Jesus is and what Jesus means to us.

(Thoughts from the readings from the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2011)