MONDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2023
MONDAY OF THE THIRTY FIRST WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME A
Romans 11:29-36
Luke 14:12-14
HAVING THE RIGHT MOTIVE FOR OUR CHARITABLE ACTS
When we engage in the works of Charity or in acts of kindness, who actually is the motive behind our charitable act?. That is, what is the purpose and why are we engaged in this acts of generosity? Jesus uses this occasion of his encounter with the Pharisee to teach us a great lesson in charity. For Jesus was invited by a Pharisee for a dinner in today gospel. We are instructed on the need to always have the right intention in our acts of kindness or charity towards others.
People ordinarily engage in charity for different purposes and intentions. Some want fame or vain glory, or to be known and acknowledged, to boast their ego, to massage their pride and to be acclaimed by others. This kind of intention is not to be found in Christian circle. When we do charity for the sake of our gains, our pride or for fame, it earns us nothing and we gain nothing from it.
The Pharisee in the gospel of today was advised by Jesus to do charity and invite those that cannot pay him back. Charity is supposed to be done to those who need it and cannot afford to return such gestures. That is why Jesus insists that his circle of invited guest should never be anyone else but the lame, the blind, the destitute, the poor and the maimed.
In inviting these group of persons, there is the intention that these cannot possibility think of paying back or you receiving reward back from them. The intention is also to alleviate their suffering, because they are the ones that actually need this kind of charity. They are the ones in need, in want and desire this acts of charity in their existential life. And it will be of great value and benefit to them too.
At the same time, they are not in the position to think of paying back. It means that the intention is never to receive anything back in any form because these people are not capable of reciprocating the gestures of kindness that you have meted to them.
Jesus uses this parable of today to caution us on the importance of being selfless in charity, having a pure mind and a generous heart that is devoid of expectations, fame and boastfulness of any kind. It is not also an act of obligation but of freewill, of benevolence, and that carries no string or conditions of any kind.
Our charitable motive must always be to help the creature of God gain blessedness, comfort and happiness. We must be agents of people’s happiness, and progress in life.
The Jewish religious teacher, the rabbi holds that in acts of charity, it is always good that the giver never knows who are the beneficiaries of his charity. Also the receiver must never know from who the gifts is coming from. By these, there is no knowledge of who the giver is and who the receiver is too.
Charitable acts must be done from a pure mind and must have the right intention not with any tint of selfish motive, which invariably mares the Christian spirit and faith in God. But when it is done with the selfless spirit and in love, of which the reward is eternal life.
Heavenly Father, give to us your people the mind and spirit to be charitable to others. May our charitable acts be done with the right intentions devoid of all forms of boastfulness, seeking of fame or vain glory or for mere obligation. May our works of kindness be useful, lifesaving and valuable to the recipients and May it also bring us eternal rewards through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
