Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.

Jesus gives us the perfect example of what it means to be detached from our goods and our very lives. He was willing to give up everything in order to pay the price for our sins. In a similar manner, we should be willing to sacrifice all that we have... our goods, our consolations, our merits, our lives... for the good of others. This is not because Jesus wants us to feel burdened, but rather because He wants us to do onto others as he has done for us. He has never asked us to do something he didn’t do in his own holy life. Yes, our sacrifices might cause us some difficulties and sufferings, but if they are done for the glory of God and the good of others, then God will give us the graces we need to thrive in our faith. Furthermore, if ever we are in need of the goods of others, then God will supply our needs from their abundance just as He asked us to do when we were able to provide. At one point or another in our lives, we are all poor and if we want to be taken care of, then we ought to make our own riches available to God and others.

Are we detached from our goods? Are we willing to share everything we have with God and His children? How can we make our time, talents, and treasures more available to God?

O Lord, we offer you our abundance for your glory and the good of all souls.

Amen.