Multiplication

May 30: Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

We’ve got some more math!

Don’t worry, you’ll appreciate today’s mathematics, however.

Reading 1

Sir 35:1-12

To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. To refrain from evil pleases the LORD, and to avoid injustice is an atonement. Appear not before the LORD empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. The just one's offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High. The just one's sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten. In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.

For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold. But offer no bribes, these he does not accept! Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion. For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.

There are a lot of sacrifices we can make to God. Sure, there’s the obvious donation here and there, but observing the commandments when you’re tempted not to, treating others fairly when you’re in a position not to, even cheerfulness are kinds of offerings that God loves.

And Sirach promises that God will return our goodwill sevenfold!

God gives out of generosity, and wants us to follow His example. When we give, we should give with a cheerful countenance and a spirit of joy.

Because God was generous first; God created us first. Whatever we give, comes ultimately from His generosity, anyway.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

God commanded the Israelites to make sacrifices in a particular way, just like He asks us to perform the sacrifice of the mass. God doesn’t reject these sacrifices; they’re still important.

Praise itself can be sacrifice, as long as it’s honest. Simply following a prescribed sacrifice isn’t enough; it has to come from the heart.

Alleluia

see mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Children don’t have difficulty understanding that everything they have comes from their parents, so the idea that God gave us everything isn’t hard to grasp.

Gospel

Mk 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, 'We have given up everything and followed you."

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

This scene happens right after Jesus says the famous phrase, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They thought it was a weird thing to say, since in the Old Testament, great wealth was a sign of favor from God.

Peter, sort of defensively, says they’ve given up everything for Jesus. And here’s where Jesus makes an even better offer than Sirach.

He’s offering a hundred times what you’ve sacrificed. “In this present age,” too!

What he means is, He and the Apostles are itinerate preachers. They’re going from town to town, meeting people, eating with some, staying with others. They don’t actually get 100 mothers and houses and such. But through their communities, they do!

Just like with the reading from Sirach, it’s not exactly karma. It’s just a natural outcome of sharing the good news, and making sacrifice with a cheerful heart.