Offer Your Whole Livelihood

No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. (Rev. 14:3)

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? (Ps 24:3)

Piety

Lord God Above, Below and Beside me. Help me to understand that my livelihood rests in you, only in you. What possessions and position I own are temporary and puny. Help me to learn to sing your new hymn that I may stand before your throne in your good time. But help me also to give today from my livelihood – give from my self rather than what is leftover. What I have and am is yours. May I share it with my Sisters and Brothers today and each day of my life.



Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/112706.shtml

Revelation, the psalm and Luke all draw attention to a new way to be, to act and to think in these readings.

A new song is heard in Revelation that is known only to the chosen ones. The chosen few? No, rather this image is allegorical. In the New American Bible, the footnote reads that verses 4-9 refers to “One hundred and forty-four thousand: the square of twelve (the number of Israel's tribes) multiplied by a thousand, symbolic of the new Israel (cf Rev 14:1-5; Gal 6:16; James 1:1) that embraces people from every nation, race, people, and tongue (Rev 7:9). God is offering the new song, the new life to anyone who will accept it. And who are they? “On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished” (Rev 14:5)

In the psalm, the psalmist talks about the dynamic tension of those who wait. And how do they wait? “He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.” (Ps 24:4)
In the Gospel, Jesus again identifies the lowliest of citizens as the most beloved of His Father. Of this passage the New American Bible says: “The widow is another example of the poor ones in this gospel whose detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to their blessedness.” “she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood” (Lk 21:4)

God does not look for material or societal status. God welcomes all and delights in those who do not look back at the plow, do not stop to bury their dead, do not find their identity in anything but God.

Action

What is your poverty: Time? Find a new volunteer duty. Patience? Do not respond when irked – give someone else the benefit of doubt and the last word; take extra time with your child or spouse when he/she isn’t getting what you’d like her/him to know. Gentleness: Give someone the hug he/she has not received recently or share a smile with colleagues whom you do not know at work. Courage: read the story of an Iraqi or Afghani family who has experienced the horror of war then go out and live fully and joyfully; give away a gun if you own one.

What do you have in surplus? Study that surplus and determine where you are thereby deficient. Joyfully give from that deficiency to God.

DeColores

Beth DeCristofaro