TWO
YEAR LECTIONARY
PATRISTIC
VIGILS READINGS
ORDINARY
TIME
WEEKS
1 to 17 : YEAR II
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Year 2
A READING FROM THE SECOND LETTER
OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS
(The
spiritual fruits of giving: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15)
A READING FROM THE SERMONS OF ST LEO THE GREAT
The sublime nature of God’s grace lies in this, my dear
friends, that daily in our Christian hearts all our desires are transferred
from what is earthbound to what is heavenly. Yet it is still true that our
present life is lived with the Creator’s aid and is supported by his
providence. It is the one and same Lord who bestows temporal blessings and who
promises the eternal blessings. There is a correspondence between two duties
which we have of giving thanks to God. First of all for the fact that we
are carried along by the hope of future happiness to the fulfilment of this
great preparation. It is faith which gives us speed. And secondly, we are to
honour and praise God for the goods which we receive annually. It is he who
from the creation has granted the earth’s fruitfulness and who has established
the cycles of fruit production in the various plants and seeds. He never
abandons his decrees so that his kindly providence as Creator remains
throughout the creation.
Whatever benefit the harvests, the vines and olives have
brought to man’s use, all of it flows from the generosity of God’s goodness. In
his delicate way he helps on the hesitant labours of the farmers by the varied
nature of the elements. Thus it is that wind and rain, cold and heat, day and night,
serve our needs. If the Lord did not grant increase with his habitual planting
and watering, human reason by itself would not be able to carry through its
tasks to the end. Consequently it is perfectly right and just that we should
help others from the things which our heavenly Father has mercifully bestowed
on us.
There are many who have no share in fields, vines, or
olives. It is worthwhile remembering the poverty of these people so that, out
of the plentifulness which God has given, they too may bless God with us for
the fruitfulness of the earth. With the landowners they can also rejoice at
having been given what is the common part of the poor and of the pilgrims; that
barn is a truly happy one and worthy to have all its products multiplied from which
the hunger of the poor and weak is satisfied, from which the pilgrim's need is
satisfied and from which the sick man's desire is cared for. God's justice
allows these people to labour under various disabilities so that he may reward
the lowly for their patience and the merciful for their kindness.
The most effective form of intercession for sin is in
almsdeeds and fasting; and prayer which is offered with such good works is
quickly heard by God. As it is written, The merciful man does good to his
own soul, and
nothing is more personal than what we bestow on our neighbour. For the share of
earthly commodities which is given to those in need becomes eternal wealth. The
riches which are born of this kindness will not be diminished by use, nor
subjected to any corruption. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall have
mercy shown to them by God. God is the highest reward and the form of the commandment.
St Leo the Great, Sermons, 16.1-2 (CCL 138:61-62);
Word in Season VII.
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