Reading I: Genesis 14:18-20
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
GOSPEL: Luke 9:11b-17
How much to give?
Most people enjoy going out to eat. You can have whatever you want, and no one has to worry about cooking. The part that most people don’t like is having to leave a tip. What do you mean I have to pay the server for doing her job? Shouldn’t the restaurant do that? How much do I have to give? Is fifteen percent enough? Eighteen? Twenty? These are all questions I have heard my family ask, and they are all questions that the disciples of Jesus have been asking about ministry for centuries.
The origin of tithing…
Today’s first reading shows us where we get the idea of tithing – from Abram’s offering of ten percent for the services of the priest Melchizedek. No small thanks to Mel, many Christians give ten percent of what they own to their church. They recognize their church’s importance in their life, and that worshiping there makes so many things possible.
We Catholics can tend to be a little bit different though. We like to see what we get for our money. We are prone to withholding our money if we don’t like something that we see happening in the Church. And we certainly don’t like to be told how much to give, because we feel that it should be personal. We believe that we should give what we can, when we can – and Jesus covers this idea in the gospel today.
A different style of giving…
In today’s gospel, the apostles went to Jesus with a problem. Jesus had preached and healed all day and it was time for dinner. The Twelve wanted Jesus to send everyone home to eat on their own, but Jesus told them, “Give them some food yourselves!”
I have always loved that line. Jesus didn’t say “Here – let me whip up some food for you” or “Send the hungry people to me.” He told them to solve the problem themselves. And we all know how the story ends. In gathering up what “little” they had, Jesus was able to create a bountiful meal with enough left over to fill twelve baskets!
That twelve is no mistake. That twelve is put in by the gospel writer to remind the community of believers of the twelve tribes – a number of discipleship and community. For when the community unites, it can bring about the kingdom of God on earth, which was the very subject that Jesus was preaching about that day.
Give what’s necessary…
Like a server at a restaurant, our parish communities are the ones who deliver our food for us. It is a food to nourish the mind, body, and soul. How much should we give? That’s a good question; and one that we must discern carefully. We could give ten percent, like Abram, or be more like the apostles and give what is necessary. Whatever we decide, let’s remember you can’t put a price on discipleship. You simply have to live it!
Life Applications:
When you donate, do you give what you can afford or a set amount each week? Why?
How much of your time and talents do you give to the Church?
If God created everything, then it all belongs to him. Why are people so hesitant to give some of it back?
Check out the REAL Word Podcast for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Cycle C):
Original article by Nick Popadich, 2004-2022.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.