Now is an Acceptable Time for Charity

Homily, 9-22-24; Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time:

Our first reading today from Proverbs reminded me of our reading from St. James we heard a week ago on Sunday. In that reading, St. James writes: “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?”

Today we heard: “Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give, when you can give at once.”

We are called to be charitable in our actions and now is an acceptable time. Now, not tomorrow, is the time for charity, not empty promises and sympathetic words. It is through our quiet actions, not with boasting and fanfare, that we let our faith shine forth. Our reward will come from God who sees our good actions, not from those around us who we try to impress. Jesus says in today’s gospel passage: “For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.”

Our reading from Proverbs goes on to give us other instruction. We are not to plot evil against our neighbor. We are not to envy the lawless man and choose his ways. We are told that God gives His friendship and blessing on those who are upright and just. But these rewards are not obvious to the mortal world. They are rewards that we will receive, not in this life, but in the next.

When we face our judgement, God will be stern with us if we are arrogant in this life, but He will show us kindness and mercy if we are humble. We are wise to look for eternal rewards in Heaven instead of temporary ones on earth.

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