Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

God wants us to give our love and mercy to others without counting the cost. He wants us to give all we can and do so cheerfully without sadness or compulsion. He wants us to take the graces He has given to us and to do good works without expectation of return. He wants us to be givers and not takers. By giving to others, we imitate God, the Great Giver of Life, and learn to detach ourselves from worldly things. Those who are charitable discover that although they might give away much, they receive the greatest reward, which is the joy and peace that comes from doing God’s Will.

Are we sowing sparingly or bountifully in our spiritual lives? How can we become more cheerful givers? What can we do to become abundant in good works?

O Lord, you have given us every grace to sow and reap abundantly.

Amen.