A WORD FOR TODAY 4 NOVEMBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

REMEMBER THE POOR WHEN YOU FEAST

Jesus is a messiah who does not pretend or hide his feelings about a truth that need to be told no matter who is involved. Sometimes we fear tell the truth because of who is involved and probably what we might lose in terms of gifts and friendship if we do. Jesus in the gospel reading of today told the ruler to include the poor and the needy when he hosts a feast and whatever is done to them comes with a blessing.

Our world is one in which you will find both the rich and the poor living together and most times the poor does not choose to be poor, but the exploitative policies of the rich and those in authority continues to exclude them from having the basic amenities of life and invariably their dignity is always trampled upon. This should never be so if we understand what God's love is. For those who love God we must always strive to use what we have to do good and improve the lives of the less privileged around us. This is the only way we can be like Jesus and such acts definitely comes with a reward.

The admonition of Jesus in the gospel reading of today is something we must take to the heart and be ready to put into practise always. We must be conscious of the fact that whatever God has blessed us with in this life is not meant for us alone, but to be shared with others who may not have, and whenever we share with them without making a show of it or to humiliate them we give ourselves the ticket to enjoy the blessedness of heaven.

You can never be poor by helping the poor from what you have, instead you grow richer in the eyes of God, because every good act done to others makes Him happy and when God is happy He gives us more and better gifts which will help us to live well here on earth. Most importantly, our gifts should be for all without discrimination and in doing that we will be like Jesus who came to proclaim the Good News to the poor and always provided for them.

All that we have is God's gift to us and if the Lord chooses not to give us His gifts and bless us we will as well be as poor as the poorest in the society, therefore, never stop helping the poor and needy around you. Be conscious of their plight, empathise with them, be considerate and do something practical to help alleviate their sufferings, pain and need._

The motive behind our generousity matters a lot when we give. If we give just to show off and prove our superiority to the one we are giving, thereby wounding their self-worth and dignity, we will never get any reward for it. If our gifts are seen as investment in which we will come to reap benefits from in the future we will never get any reward. However, when we give out of love without any interest attached we will definitely get a bountiful reward from the Lord on the last day.

Therefore, when things are going well for you, remember the poor, when you have enough food to eat, remember the poor, when you do not have enough for yourself still remember the poor and share with them from the little you have and God who sees all the good things that is done in His name will reward you and make your little and insufficient gifts to increase and become surplus._

The best way to put a smile on the face of God and to touch Him is to do something that uplifts the poor and the less privileged in the society. Whatever we do to the least of His brethren, we do unto Him. Do not close eyes or block your ears to the sufferings and cry of the needy respectively, do something to help out of love and God will reward you on the last day.

Today we celebrate the memorial of saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) He contributed a lot in the reformation of the Church and set up the Confraternity of the Christian Doctrine to teach the children the faith. He loved the poor and cared for them. Let us learn from Him to make ourselves available to God so that He will use us to do good to others.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a blessed New Week. May Jesus move you to be kind to others especially the poor and may the good you do to them bring you heavenly reward. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Meditation:* Romans 11:29-36/Psalm 69:30-31,33-34,36-37/Luke 14:12-14

_*Watch-Word:* When you give a feast, invite the poor the maimed, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed._

_*Never stop doing good, because the good you do today will come to pay you back someday. Goodness that flows from true love comes with a sweet reward*_

(Monday of the 31st Week in the Ordinary Time, Year 1)