[ Today's Readings ]
Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,
for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.
Do we think we have nothing to offer the LORD? We have nothing he needs, it is true. But we have much that he desires we give nonetheless. "To keep the law", "give alms", "and refrain from evil" are all offerings pleasing to God which he himself gives us the power to give. The more we can offer for Jesus' sake the better.
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.
We notice him sneaking in mention of persecutions in there amidst all the blessings. But the persecutions themselves perfect us and make us more like Jesus. They give us something profound to offer to the Father: ourselves in union with Christ. We need not be afraid to offer all that we have and are to Jesus. He loves a generous giver with "a cheerful countenance" and he is not outdone in generosity. The more we empty ourselves for his sake the more he fills us with grace.
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes we feel utterly unable to offer anything good. We see how all that we do is tainted by self interest. At such times, with nothing else to offer, let us at least bring him our praise.
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.
Inspired by the readings:
Getting ready for Lent with some preemptive alleluias:
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