Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Congratulations with the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, as well as the day of the memory of the fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council!
Today St. Paul tells us about the importance of generously giving alms. He notes that giving alms is like sowing. The more you sow, the bigger the harvest. Therefore, we should give more generously so that we produce as many spiritual fruits as is possible. The Holy Apostle Paul adds that we need to do this with an open, kind, and joyful heart. When we are sad about giving alms, this good deed brings us no benefit. St. Theophan the Recluse notes that when we give without joy, it is that same as sowing spoiled or crushed seeds. There won’t be any harvest in such a situation. Everyone must therefore decide for themselves how much they can give. Paul continues that the Lord is able to give us an abundance of everything that is necessary, but not simply for our own comfort, but rather so that we can help those in need. He repeats this idea twice, as if assuring us that the Lord will not abandon a generous person. Today’s reading finishes with the observation that our generosity brings about in the receiving person thanksgiving towards God.

Look how much goodness alms giving brings out. We ourselves bear spiritual fruits. (Saint John Chrysostom notes that we do this ourselves, that God has more or less little to do with this. We don’t really need His help to earn spiritual capital through the handing out of alms.) Secondly, God doesn’t forget us and sends us earthly help so that we can continue to help those in need. We give and in turn He sends us even more. Third, which is most obvious, is that a hungry or naked person is fed or clothed. Finally, this unfortunate, but now satiated and dressed person remembers, glorifies, and thanks God.

Today, let’s remember that many of us, if not all, have been blessed with earthly riches by our Lord God. Few of us are dying from hunger. Remembering this, let’s strive to generously share that which we have with joy and in such a way put away for ourselves heavenly treasures.

priest Alexis