Whenever we pray, whenever we enter into God's presence, we must come like the wise men to the manger, bearing gifts (Mt 2:11). Since Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, we enter into His courts bearing gifts. Praying hands are never empty hands. It's not difficult to always have something to give to the Lord. For when we give, we find that "the Lord is One Who always repays, and He will give back" to us sevenfold, that is, indefinitely (Sir 35:10).

We can give everything constantly, eternally, to God and still have more to give than ever before. Jesus said: "I give you My word, there is no one who has given up home, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children or property, for Me and for the gospel who will not receive in this present age a hundred times as many homes, brothers and sisters, mothers, children and property — and persecution besides — and in the age to come, everlasting life" (Mk 10:29-30).

We always receive much more than we give, so we always have much more to give. Sometimes our gifts are money and material possessions. Always our gift is ourselves. When we stand before the throne of the Lamb That was slain, a gift of anything less than everything would be blasphemous. For "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life" (Jn 3:16).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 16, 2006

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