May 28, 2013

First Reading – Sirach 35 : 1-12

I believe in tithing.  It has always been my pledge to give no matter what the circumstances.  While others reasoned that they can’t afford to tithe because of their lack, I tithe whatever lack we may have.  God has always provided for us.  More often than not, we experience shortage of money because we mismanage our money.  As stewards of wealth, it is our responsibility to set aside an amount for God’s work.  If we are incapable of doing God’s work, then we give to institutions who are doing God’s work.  We give to our Church, we give to charities, and non-government institutions who provides assistance to marginalized members of our society.

There are a lot of areas of my life that I struggled with.  Actually, that’s an understatement.  It’s more like, I struggled in all areas of my life, and handling our finances is one of them.  We still have credit card debts, I still buy things I don’t really need on impulse, and I’m not very consistent on my savings.  As a result of this messed up finances, we experienced budget deficit. But despite the lack, there is one thing I don’t take for granted, I tithe.   I am very blessed to have a very generous husband who taught me that giving is the only way to live.  We tithe until it hurts.

There will always be days when, as a result of our mishandled finances, we have not enough money to put on our supposedly daily savings.  These are the consequences of our actions but we never take from our tithe money.  We promised God that those who needed help will not be delayed because of our irresponsibility.

There are individuals who are already doing reverse tithing.  Instead of giving the 10% of their income, they give the 90% and living on the 10%.  I pray to God that someday, it will be our situation, but until then we will continue to give because God does not prosper us just for ourselves.  We are blessed to be a blessing to other people as well.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

———————————-

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 50:  5-6, 7-8, 14, 23

To the upright, I will show the saving power of God

———————————-

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

think…testing our faith makes it stronger as, when we pass the test, there is one more thing that could lead us astray.

Reflection…” To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.”

I quoted this verse in my brother’s wedding.  Having been married 9 years ahead of him, I know for certain that marriage is tested by fire.  I have proven that love is not a feeling, it is an action word, a commitment.  To love in spite of and despite of.  Same with our faith in all things visible and invisible.  The mystery of life can never be fathom with our finite mind.  We cannot go on living by sight alone.  We need to believe that there is a greater power who governs us and leads us to a faith beyond what we see.

——————————-

God our Father, there is not a day that my faith is not tested even in little ways.  Looking back, there were incidents in my life, that I did not think I could surpass it.  Help me to remember that there is not a day that you will abandon me.  There will be days you will test me, in all humility and weakness,  may I pass the test in that faithful day in order to prove my faithfulness to you.