Jesus' Example of Helping Others

06-27-2021Weekly Reflection© J. S. Paluch Company

In today’s second reading Paul offers a wonderful argument to his converts at Corinth for seeking to help those in need. He is dealing with a practical problem, arranging a collection for the poor of the church of Jerusalem; but as he often does, he develops an important teaching about Jesus to make his point.

After asking that they show their faith by generous gifts, he reminds them of the “gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). In the Incarnation our Lord assumed our human nature, certainly becoming poor for one who is God. The ultimate gracious act of this poverty was going to the cross with all its terrible sufferings. By this act of poverty we definitely become rich. Now our sins can be forgiven; we can share in the very life of God through the sacraments; we can attain eternal salvation!