HEART OF THE GIVER

What seems to be folly to man is wisdom in the eyes of God. When we truly and sincerely desire to do things that are most pleasing to God, we sometimes come to the point of being misunderstood or worst the laughing stock of some.  There are times when most people already get used to the existing and prevailing accepted norms of our society that the most practical is mistaken as the right and fitting thing to do. Daniel in today's 1st reading firmly stood by the principles of God by refusing the so called food from the royal table. Come to think of it, who would not do anything for the sake of being favored by a king or who would even think or do something to jeopardize this chance and refuse such a privilege to be counted as one of the King's chosen few who could enjoy the richness and luxury of royalty. In the eyes of man it seems very foolish to decline and refuse such a lucrative and tempting offer.  For Daniel there is more to life than just power and prestige that the men of this world consider very precious and dear. Instead of giving in to the pressures of his faith he chose to stand by God's principles and was willing to risk all at stake for he believed that nothing else matters more than following and obeying God through and through. All we have to do is first decide for God in everything we do and all else will follow. As we read on in the bible, Daniel was eventually rewarded with the best of both worlds when he decided to do things in God's way. Amen. Hallelujah!

Daniel 1:1-6. 8-20

...The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. 6 Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. 9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 10 he nevertheless said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; it is he who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look wretched by comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my life with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.” 14 He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 15 after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 16 So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. 20 In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

We should never ran out of reasons to always praise and thank God for He never leaves us empty handed since everything is linked and works wonderfully well for those who stay connected most especially when the going gets really tough and the rough gets on going for we have a dependable God who comes up with more and more blessings and angels sent to us for our welfare. The same God who saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is the same God who continues to lift us up from our miseries for He is a God for all ages. There is a need for us let go and avoid too much attachment to the things that the world offers and learn the art of fasting and abstinence which not only in the form of food and could be in any other things. A little sacrifice goes a long way with God and can truly rid ourselves of the hindrances and obstacles that keep us from truly giving glory and praise to God. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Daniel 3:52. 53. 54. 55. 56

R: Glory and praise for ever.

29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.”

Today's gospel is taken from the Luke and speaks of the importance of women which is a radical concept at that time. This is because women during that time are second class citizens and hold no importance in society. Luke promotes the important role of women as in the hand that rocks the cradle. It can also be seen in Lk 1 46-56- Canticle of Mary. In the speaking role it can be found in (like in John 2:1-11) Lk. 8:1-3- wherein women supported Jesus' mission and specifically in the gospel today about the widow's mite. Thanks for this gospel reading that has always been quoted by my mother when she was still living. Being a widow with three kids left to her care when my father died this bible passage had always been a source of inspiration for her. I know that up to this moment my nanay is still our powerful prayer warrior being in union with the Lord our God. The story of this widow teaches us to be totally dependent on the Lord and always put our faith and trust in the Lord in order to develop an attitude just like this poor widow. What this poor widow contributed was merely nothing as compared to the wealthy people but God sees and honors the heart of the giver that goes with the offering. We may think of it as very foolish for someone to offer her whole livelihood and be left with nothing. The point here and what is being emphasized in today's gospel is the sincerity of the heart in giving and our complete trust in God whom we can not out give. We can never outdo God's generosity. The question here is, do we sincerely do it when we do something like giving of our time, talent and treasure? We should come to a point just like this poor widow when we do and give our all for the glory of God. Not holding back anything knowing in our heart that God deserves the best and the most that we can give. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 21:1-4

1 When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”