Be Dispensers of Grace

Author: Chrisma C. Bangaoil
Call to be channels of grace, offering our blessings to those with nothing in return
Reflection Date: November 4, 2024 Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Daily Readings: Philippians 2:1-4; Luke 14:12-14

How easy it is to lavish gifts with those we love but those we don’t, we can’t even give a morsel of our extras.

My daughter grew up celebrating her birthdays with the children of Love for Joy, an orphanage under the care of the Sisters of Charity. Our reason is simple – her friends already have so much spaghetti, burger, ice cream and cake.

This is also the same reason that my friend priest would turn down dinner invitations from rich parishioners. He would always say that they invite their poor neighbors instead. When they send food to the convent, more than they can consume, he would call the beggars and give the food to them. One time someone commented that the food is meant for him and not for the beggars. He replied that he didn’t need the food, the beggars do.

Do you give to those who can give you something back – something like an exchange gift or do you give to those who have nothing to give you in return? 

Call to Action for Catholic Living:  This is the call of the Gospel today – that we become channels of God’s grace not hoarders. We are called to be dispensers of grace to those who are most in need rather than share our blessings also to those who have already so much