Giving and Giving Up

Homily for Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Both readings for today’s Mass bring up the issue of “giving” and “giving up.”

Jesus Ben Sira writes about the cheerful giver. These verses are sprinkled with various synonyms for the act of giving. He refers to sacrifices, giving alms, offering, and finishes up with this maxim: “Give to the Most High as God has given to you.” God has blessed us with many good gifts. It is now our responsibility to give back through various acts of sacrifice and giving alms.

In the Gospel text for today, Peter responds to the parable of the camel passing through the eye of a needle by exclaiming, “We have given up everything and followed you.” The use of the words “given up” are usually the way people respond to the season of Lent which is hard upon us. Jesus responds to Peter’s exclamation by reminding them that what they have given up is for the sake of the Gospel itself.

Sirach reminds us that giving, giving anything, which is not accompanied by good cheer, generosity, and real kindness is better left undone. Ungenerous giving may flow from an unfounded fear on our part that any true giving we do might diminish us. On the contrary, giving simply makes us more Christ-like.

We gather this morning to celebrate the greatest gift that God has given us, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.