The Least of the Brethren

Almsgiving is no longer a way of life.

WORD

"And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple, amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

OBSERVE

I remember when I was young, every week in front of our gate, blind and poor people would pass by our house to ask for alms.

In front of the church on Sundays, there would be beggars who would beg for alms.

Before I proceed, I would like to make clear that I am not advocating mendicancy. But I am just recalling the past.

Nowadays, you will seldom see beggars.

Have they become better off? Are there no more poor among us?

Or maybe the poor beggars just stopped doing the rounds because we no longer give them alms in the guise that we do not want to tolerate mendicancy.

Or maybe, we have just become too greedy or apathetic that we cannot spare even just a small amount or a few cups of rice to give.

The worst hypocrites are those who justify their stinginess by telling themselves that these beggars will just use the alms for vices such as gambling or drinking.

RESPOND

Lord, increase our faith and let us see you are present among the poor.

Remove our hypocrisy which hides our greed and apathy for those in need.

Inflame our hearts with the desire to help without judgement or the need to control others just because we gave some spare coins.

DISCERN

There are those who have been blessed by the Lord who have organized foundations to feed the hungry, offer education to deserving poor students or provide livelihood programs.

For these people, we thank the Lord.

How about us, in what way can we truly say that we have given a "cup of water" to those in need?