Be Generous in Secret, Never Envy the Wicked

Monday, 23 September 2024. Readings: Proverbs 3:27-34, Ps. 15:2-5, Luke 8:16-18

“For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17)

There are many people you assume to be your friends right now, but when things are tough, some of these “friends” do not even pick up your calls, not to mention respond to your messages. We are all guilty of this.

- It is part of our nature as humans to help those we hope to gain from and ignore those who are “useless” to us. Generosity is very rare. It is Divine, but it is exactly what we are called to by our Christian identity.

- Our first reading today says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due… do not postpone doing good when it is in your power to help.” Let us learn the meaning of the saying, “No one ever became poor by giving.”

- Remember, acting against our Christian values is never justified, not even in secret. If you find yourself doing something secretly, ensure it is good, noble, worthy of praise, or admirable. As Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel passage, “Nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest.”

- In other words, do not worry about announcing your kindness to others; let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Your heavenly Father, who sees everything that happens secretly, will reward you.

- Today’s First Reading also touches on a very common phenomenon: the envy of the wicked. As much as we openly condemn their evil deeds, we sometimes wish we were in their shoes. Do not be carried away. It is not everything that glitters that is gold. They may appear to be doing well today, but so long as they fail to repent, their end will not be glorious.

- You may see wicked people do evil and get away with it, but you will regret it if you attempt to try it. Know this: “The perverse man is an abomination to the Lord… the Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked…” (Proverbs 3:32-33).

- Psalm 37:35-38 says: “I have seen the wicked oppressing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. Again, I passed by, and they were no more; though I sought them, they could not be found…. behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable. But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.”

- Today is the memorial of St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968). He was born in the small village of Pietrelcina in southern Italy and joined the Capuchin friars at 16. He became a priest seven years later and spent fifty years at the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he was very much sought after as a spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor. Many miracles were popularly ascribed to him during his lifetime. He died a few days after the fiftieth anniversary of his receiving the stigmata, and over 100,000 people attended his funeral.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, make us a channel of your generosity. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). Bible Study: Proverbs 3:27-34, Ps. 15:2-5, Luke 8:16-18).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu