Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 

Although we shouldn't shun other people's charity, neither should we impose on it unnecessarily. We should seek to provide for ourselves as best we can given our circumstances. Sometimes we will need help in one shape, form, or fashion, but we should strive to be sufficient enough for today... and perhaps enough to help others as well. And if we have received the charity and mercy of others, then we must be willing to repay that when we are doing well ourselves. It is the least we can do in recognition that we have been helped ourselves. So let us imitate John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus by doing the best we can to provide for ourselves so we might provide for others as well.

Are we imposing on other people's charity? How can we be more charitable with what we have? In what ways can we increase the time, talents, and treasures we spend on helping others?

O Lord, help us to give and receive charity with humble and thankful hearts.

Amen.