In today’s reflection from the Daily Mass, Fr Dean explores what it means to dig deep when giving to others
Today’s readings for Tuesday of Week 28 can be found here
In the UK the average UK household spends £291 a year on beauty products. A significant portion of consumers spend between £10 and £25 per month, while another 27% spend between £26 and £50 What bracket do you fall in?!
It’s important to look after ourselves, and to pamper and care for our bodies. It makes us feel good. And why not? Caring for ourselves is as important as caring for others.
In the gospel reading today, Jesus is having another go at the Pharisees who are concerned only about external things at the expense of attending to what lies beneath the surface. Jesus recognises that whilst they are very particular at mealtimes following the Law of Moses— washing, and cleaning pots and pans, they are hiding something else from others. In other words, they’re pretending to be what they’re not. It’s all an external show to hide what really lies beneath.
“Give as alms those things that are within,” says Jesus. There are many needs in the the world and many needy people. There is so much that we can do by being generous. But attending to people’s needs is not just about giving money to help certain causes—as important as this is. It’s also about giving of ourselves which means drawing from and nurturing within our hearts those qualities of generosity, kindness, understanding, care, concern compassion, and love. When we give alms, it’s not only about digging deep into our pockets, but digging deep into our hearts.
Today’s Mass (Tuesday) is at St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 630pm)
South Cardiff Ministry Area 