Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost; Post-feast of the Dormition; the Transfer from Edessa to Constantinople of the Holy Icon ‘Not Made with Hands’ of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, also called the Holy Veil, and the Holy Martyr Diomedes (284-305)
1 Corinthians 9:2-12; Matthew 18:23-35
Read 1 Corinthians 9:2-12
Have you ever heard the term a “tent-maker” priest? It is a term which refers to a priest who serves a community or parish but also has a “day job” in order to support himself and his family. We get this term from St. Paul, who himself was a tent-maker and great evangelist. In his letter to the Christians in Corinth, St. Paul is reminding the people of the worth of his work and how he should, as a worker of the gospel be provided for by the community in order to allow them to benefit from his preaching and ministry. However, in order to avoid all suspicion or possibility of scandal, he opted to forego this rightful assistance and work with his own hands for his living and those of his fellow ministers!
Today brothers and sisters we have the important reminder that if we intend to benefit from the spiritual home of a parish, we must support it generously. The giving of our time, treasure (money) and talents means the gospel is preached and people are introduced to the Lord. It also means that we are provided for spiritually by our pastors whose ministries are made possible through our giving.
In the Old Testament, we recall Abraham giving the priest Melchizedek a tenth of all he had (tithe). In the book of Acts, we have the example of the disciples contributing to the common purse for their own needs and the service of others. Christ has given us everything. Let us emulate His generosity through providing for his Church financially and with our time and talent!