SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Appear not before the Lord empty-handed. 

Have you ever seen a small child at church when the offertory is being collected? Eager to participate, the child is upset that he has nothing to give. But then his mother leans over and slips something into his hand, and the child’s face lights up as he puts a coin into the collection basket.

We might feel a bit like that anxious child, especially when Sirach cautions us not to appear before the Lord empty-handed. But the truth is, we really are “unprepared.” What could we possibly give to God? He has made everything, from the tiniest cell to the vast expanses of the galaxies. He is complete in himself and lacks nothing. He doesn’t need anything from us.

But like that mother at offertory time, God fills our hands so that we have something to give to him. Every minute of every day is a gift from the Lord. Everything we own comes to us through his hands, and he has given it to us so that we can offer it back to him through our acts of love and service.

The writer of Sirach urges, “Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously” (35:12). As we recognize all that he has given us, several things can happen. We can start to understand that no matter how keenly we feel our own emptiness, God extends his mercy and forgiveness to us. We can respond with generosity in the way we choose to care for the people around us and allow God’s generosity to move us to praise and gratitude.

That’s something we can all offer to God: our praise and gratitude. No matter how little money we may have to offer the poor, no matter how little time we have to reach out in service, we can still offer him our hearts. We can still offer him our devotion by placing our needs and our loved ones’ needs before his throne. As we lift our hearts to the Lord, we are giving him what he values most of all: our love.

“Lord, I praise you for the life you have blessed me with, and I offer it to you!”

Psalm 50:5-8, 14, 23
Mark 10:28-31
Sirach 35:1-12

WORD AMONG US