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Gospel: Luke 11:37-41
After Jesus had spoken,
a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see
that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Three brothers met for their annual steak dinner. As the conversation started flowing, so did the expensive red wine, a Caymus Cabernet.
Next came the appetizers – bacon wrapped scallops, crab cakes, and a large Caesar salad – followed by three T-bone steaks, espresso, and tiramisu.
When the check came, the first brother saw the total, winced, and said somewhat jokingly, “How generous, brothers! I’ll pray for you in thanksgiving.”
The second brother said, “Yeah, and I’ll fast for you in the morning.”
But the third brother extended his hand and said, “Give me the check.”
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Which of the three made the biggest sacrifice?
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The one who paid the check.
While prayer and fasting are important spiritual practices, almsgiving may be the most important – and difficult – if we follow Mother Teresa’s advice, “Give until it hurts.”
Which does not necessarily mean pick up the next check at dinner, but give anonymously to a person or cause in need.
“Give until it hurts.”
Doing so is a balm for the soul, capable of saving even the religious authorities of Jesus’ day whom he indicted in today’s Gospel as being “filled with plunder and evil.”
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Pray.
Fast.
Give alms.
But give until it hurts.
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Image credits: (1) woodforestpc.org (2) Fogo de Chao, Thetravel.com (3) AZ Quotes.com