The first reading for today poses an ever important question asking what kind of giver we are. St. Paul writes: “Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God loves a cheerful giver? But then God loves a grumpy giver under the rubric that God loves us all. But parents love all their children equally but on any given day probably like some more than others. As children we all have the experience that we are so sure our parents love one of our siblings more than they love us. It is probably one of those days that, as children, we are not at the topic of the “like list,” even as we are unaware we are ever at the top of their love list. It is those days that are probably more revealing about ourselves on that day when we are (a) forgetful about all that our parents have done/are doing for us and are (b) operating in the “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” mode. Kids are that way. People are that way. Continue reading →