I must confess to being haunted by this line. It corresponds to such an elemental urge to hoard, to hide and to protect. And while I have recently drawn a connection with the circumstances of my own family life, it is one of the wounds that we all bear within ourselves. I know it is the raw material that God works with in leading me along the lifelong path of conversion.
I’m guessing that most of us think we’re more generous than we are. One of the most telling of Jesus’ words is not to let my left hand know what my right hand is doing. It fits nicely with not counting the cost, with putting aside the petty calculations that creep into our relations with one another and cause us to fold into ourselves. As in everything, Jesus is our model and pattern, who wants to break open our hearts to see and to love as he does.
Open our hearts Lord to the beauty óf your generosity towards us.. Thank you for the time, talents and treasures you accord us. May these continue to multiply and producing results beneficial to us and for the greater glory of your one holy name, Amen. .
*** Here is what Jesus said about counting the cost of following HIm being His discipes in Luke 14:25-33, "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and spoke to them. He said,“Anyone who comes to Me must hate their father and mother. They must hate their wife and children. They must hate their brothers and sisters. And they must hate even their own life. Unless they do this, they can’t be My disciple. Whoever doesn’t carry their cross and follow Me can’t be My disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you sit down first and figure out how much it will cost? Then you will see whether you have enough money to finish it. Suppose you start building and are not able to finish. Then everyone who sees what you have done will laugh at you. They will say, ‘This person started to build but wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. And suppose he has 10,000 men, while the other has 20,000 coming against him. Won’t he first sit down and think about whether he can win? And suppose he decides he can’t win. Then he will send some men to ask how peace can be made. He will do this while the other king is still far away. In the same way, you must give up everything you have. Those of you who don’t cannot be My disciple." *** You see, counting the cost of following Jesus is to decide a complete surrendering of everything I am, I have and I do to Jesus! And when I make the complete surrender decision, everything I do is about Jesus and not me! And when I make the complete surrender decision, everything I give belongs to Jesus and not me! And when I make the complete surrender decision, everyone I love belongs to Jesus and not me! *** Here is another example of Jesus talking about the cost of following Him in Matthew 8:18-22, "Jesus saw the crowd around Him. So He gave His disciples orders to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Then a teacher of the law came to Him. He said, “Teacher, I will follow You no matter where You go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens. Birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Another follower said to Him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow Me. Let the dead bury their own dead.” ******* Have you heard of the Proverbs 31 woman? If you haven't, read Proverbs 31:10-31! It is the complete check list for a perfect godly woman! *** Here are my takeaways from what Jesus said about counting the cost of following Him and the description of a Proverbs 31 woman: *** The Proverbs 31 woman did not do all of that at the same time, it was over her life time! *** The proverbs 31 woman did not focus on herself but on her Lord God in Proverbs 31:30, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised!" *** The wisdom of this Proverbs 31 woman came from her Lord God when she surrendered herself to her Lord God in Proverbs 9:10, "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment!" ******* When I surrender my complete life to my Lord and Savior and follow Jesus, He gives me the Holy Spirit giving me wisdom and understanding to the things He wants me to know and do!!!
Thank you, Father Dennis. Your reflection is a great reminder to share whatever gift God had given us. At times, it may be small in our eyes, but it certainly can be huge to the receiver. God bless all in the LFF and their families and hoping that everyone has a wonderful week. Sending hope and love to all who need our prayers and support.
Thank you Salina, PeggyR, Pam, Ken and JudyF for all your support with yesterdays comments. LFF you keep me from falling! You have all shared your wonderful talents with me.
Amen.
Good Sunday Morning Living Faith Family! It just amazes me that this far into my blessed life, I actually have a glimpse of understanding in God's parables! I sided with the man with one talent, being the conservative that I am! And now the light brightens...Share the wealth of His love so others might see Him. God Bless Us All And All Who We Love! Praying for our LFF members in the midst of worry, fear and loneliness.
Pam, I also empathize with the one talent servant. His master was dishonest (reaps what he doesn’t harvest). And fear was a legitimate emotion. Mercy instead of banishment seems warranted.
Amen.
Opening our hearts to see and love as Jesus does. Jesus gave all that he had to give - his very life that we may be saved. Taking into account my human frailties and responsibilities to family, help me Jesus to be generous with all that I have to give.
Amen Amen Amen God is great thank you for all you do for me I love you Lord.
Amen...thank you Fr. Dennis....everyone, have a blessed and beautiful Sunday and week ahead
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Please help me Jesus to use all of the gifts I have been given to do the work of The Father in Heaven Amen Amen Amen