Quote/s of the Day – 26 November – Today’s Gospel: Luke 21:1-4 “The Widow’s Mite”
Speaking of: Almsgiving
“When you can do good,
defer it not, because
“alms delivers from death.”
St Polycarp (69-155)
“In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth
and work better than idleness, especially since wealth
becomes an obstacle even for those
who do not devote themselves to it.
Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy,
soften our anger, offer our prayers and show a disposition
which is reasonable, mild, kindly and loving,
how could poverty stand in our way?
For we accomplish these things not by spending money
but by making the correct choice.
Almsgiving, above all else, requires money but even this,
shines, with a brighter lustre, when the alms are given
from our poverty.
The widow who paid in the two mites, was poorer
than any human but she outdid them all.”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor
“As far as you can, do some manual work.
so as to be able to give alms, for it is written,
that alms and faith purify from sin.”
St Poemen (340-450)
“Let us give alms because these
cleanse our souls from the stains of sin.
Men lose all the material things
they leave behind them in this world
but they carry with them the reward of their charity
and the alms they give.
For these they will receive from the Lord
the reward and recompense they deserve.”
St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)
“Satisfaction consists in the cutting off
of the causes of the sin.
Thus, fasting is the proper antidote to lust;
prayer to pride, to envy, anger and sloth;
alms to covetousness.”
St Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)
“If you are attached to the things of this earth,
you should give alms sufficient, to enable you
to punish your avarice, by depriving yourself,
of all, that is not absolutely necessary for life.”
AnaStpaul 