Wednesday, June 20, 2023

 Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, religious

 (II Corinthians 9:6-11; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

St. Aloysius Gonzaga died rich in the eyes of God, however poor in the sight of many in the world.  He gave up a claim to his family’s fortune to become a Jesuit.  As a religious, he dedicated himself to caring for the victims of the plague which was racking Italy in the late sixteenth century.  Eventually he contracted the disease and died from it.  His willingness to give himself completely out of love for Christ amply illustrates today’s first reading.

St. Paul is urging the Corinthians to be generous in his collection for the Christians in Jerusalem.  He tells them that they will reap what they sow.  If they make great sacrifices, they will receive great rewards.  Because God gives eternal life as well as harvests, they will not be disappointed for their efforts.

We may tire of being pestered by charities.  As we hear of donor names being passed from one organization to another, we may not want to contribute to any.  Let us not make such a decision out of frustration, however.  Rather let us pray for the grace to make prudent use of our resources for the good of the needy.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 8:1-9; Matthew 5:43-48)

The philosopher Plato theorized how a human being would act if he or she were invisible.  He said that the person would likely kill, steal, and rape among other things “like a god among humans”.   Plato had in mind the capricious gods of Greek mythology.  His conception of a god differs decidedly from St. Paul’s in today’s first reading.

St. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be generous and benevolent like Christ whom he recognizes as Lord.  He says that although Christ was rich, he became poor not to do any mischief, quite the contrary.  He became poor so that he might make others rich in the Kingdom of God. 

We believe in a good God as He definitively revealed Himself in Jesus Christ.  Not only was he kind and generous, but also faithful, wise, and self-sacrificing.  Following him, we know that our destiny is as bright as the noonday sun in summer.