Today marks the beginning of Ordinary Time. As we bid farewell to the Christmas season and welcome ordinary time. Ordinary time is a period in which we see JEsus in action. HE enters fully into his public ministry.
To start this ordinary time we are invited to recall St. John the Almsgiver. He lived in the 7th century. HE was a widower and was elevated to be patriarch of Alexandria.
His focus was almsgiving. Giving everything to support others continually.
He always referred to the poor as his "lords and masters", because of their mighty influence at the Court of the Most High.
What a unique focus on life. What if we just focused on giving.
How often do we excuse ourselves from giving with excuses such as they should get a job, or they just are going get drunk or blow it on cigarettes.
It is nice to be in the position of making excuses not to give.
What if we were on the other side of things.
ponder this quote from St. Vincent de Paul
"When the demands of life seem unfair, when you are exhausted and have to pull yourself out of bed yet another time to do some act of service, do it gladly, without counting the cost without self-pity. for if you persevere in serving others , in giving yourself to the poor, if you persevere to the point of completely spending yourself, perhaps someday the poor will find it in their hearts to forgive you. For it is more blessed to give than to receive, and it is also a lot easier."
Almsgiving isn't just for Lent; it must accompany us throughout our life. IT is the primary way we imitate Christ, giving ourselves.
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