Mass readings and Reflection on August 10 Friday

 

 

August 10 Friday 18th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

 

But remember: anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well—and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well. Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for every conceivable need, and your resources overflow in all kinds of good work. As scripture says: To the needy he gave without stint, his uprightness stands firm for ever. The one who so freely provides seed for the sower and food to eat will provide you with ample store of seed for sowing and make the harvest of your uprightness a bigger one.

 

 

John 12:24-26

 

 

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses ¡t; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me, must follow me, and my servant will be with me wherever I am. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’

 

 

Reflection

 

Both the readings of today highlight a simple fact of life- it ¡s in giving that we receive. The more we let go of ourselves, the richer will be the fruit we produce. Human beings by nature are selfish. They are guided by personal benefits rather than the welfare of fellow human beings. Through the example of a grain that brings forth new life through its death, Jesus challenges each one of us to break the barriers that prevent us from becoming agents of new life. Every Christian is called to be an agent of life by living an altruistic life. Are we self-centred or other-centred? What are the barriers that prevent us from dying to ourselves?