fix this broken machine

This blog of mine is my little way of witnessing to the faith.  I do not expect anything in return.  The proclaiming of the Kingdom (3rd Luminous Mystery of the Rosary for us Cliffs Notes types) is something that should always be done from the heart and with simple and pure intent.  It should not be for stroking one's ego nor should it be done with an eye on the bottom line.  It should be PROPHET-driven, NOT profit-driven.

When Jesus and His disciples were proclaiming the Kingdom to the people, they did not see the people as potential customers to sell the good news to.  Instead they realized that these were broken people in need of healing.  They were essentially doing mission work.  They may not have given anything of much monetary value but they were giving a lot just by going on a mission.  But what about those of us who do not have the opportunity to go on a mission?

If we can't give by going, we can go by giving.  This is where giving a tithe comes in.  (Technically, a tithe is one-tenth of your income).  It costs money to make a mission run, even if the missionaries make no profit.  Giving is what makes it possible for others to go on that mission we could not go on.

But a tithe is for the whole church, not just for mission work.  The Church is constantly short on money which means that it can never seem to provide enough for its people.  If you attended Mass, went to Adoration, attended a talk or lecture, went on a retreat, or used a church-run venue, facility, website, or other service in any other way, why not give those involved a share of your tithe?  If everyone who came to church did that, it would ensure that the Church can continue to provide for its people according to what the people actually need the most.  The whole world, including the Church, is loaded with broken people in need of healing.

By giving, we are proclaiming the Kingdom.  We are not expecting a tangible return on our investment like in a money market account.  We are just doing the right thing for ourselves and for others.  By supporting businesses that give to the Church (as seen on parish bulletins everywhere, as well as on the list of restaurants that helped out with the Eucharistic Congress in Boston) we are encouraging them to keep doing the same, especially when we acknowledge their support for the Church.

Matthew 9: 35 - Matthew 10: 1, 5a, 6-8