11th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 20th June 2023 – 2 Cor 8,1-9; Mt 5,43-48
Expressions of Charity and Unity
In the first reading, Paul addresses the Corinthians to give graciously to those who are in need, those within the universal church. He gives them the example of the Macedonians who generously donated to the needs of others. In encouraging the Corinthians to be generous, Paul puts before them the extreme generosity of the churches in Macedonia. Thus, Paul is asking them to follow through a commitment they had previously made. They had agreed to gather funds to be given to suffering Christians in Jerusalem. At the same time, Paul, with a taint of flattery, tells the Corinthians that they are rich in many things, but he wants to emphasize that their wealth will not be complete until they are also rich in giving. He praises them for their excellence in faith, speech, knowledge and enthusiasm. They also excel in his love for them. (2 Cor 8,7). By the example of the Macedonians, Paul is not ordering them to give, but offering them a challenge and a test of the genuineness of their faith and love. Corinthians giving generously to Jerusalem church is both an act of charity and an expression of unity between the churches. Paul describes this giving as an act of grace. This grace comes as a good gift we could never earn.
