Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Giving Generously
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
Year II: What a bold question of the prophet Elisha to ask that he be given a double share of the prophetic spirit that was in the prophet Elijah! May the Lord give us the Holy Spirit to a great measure.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
You let your Holy Spirit fill us spontaneously
with every good gift.
You want us to be to everyone
ministers of your generosity.
Help us to express our gratitude to you
and to reveal your goodness
by sharing what we are and have
with joy and in all sincerity,
as Jesus did, your Son,
Who lives with you forever, Amen!
First Reading
Elijah Is Taken Up to Heaven
The Lord took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. It happened this way: Elijah and Elisha had left Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha:
Elijah said again to Elisha: “Stay here, I beg you, for the Lord is only sending me to the Jordan.” But Elisha answered: “I swear by the Lord and by your life that I will never leave you.”And as they went on their way,
fifty fellow prophets of Jericho followed them at a certain distance.When Elijah and Elisha stood by the Jordan,
Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. The water parted to either side, and they crossed over onto the dry ground.
After they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha: “What shall I do for you before I am taken away from you? Ask me.” Elisha said: “May I receive a double portion of your spirit?”
Elijah answered: “Your request is most difficult. Yet if you see me while I am being taken from you, then you shall have it. But if not, you shall not have it.”
As they were talking on the way, a chariot of fire with horses of fire stood between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha saw him and cried out: “Father, my father, chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”When Elisha lost sight of him, he took hold of his clothes and tore them.
He then picked up the mantle which had fallen from Elijah and returned to the banks of the Jordan.
He took the cloak that had fallen off Elijah, hit the water with it, and asked: “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” It divided when he hit the water again, and Elisha crossed over.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
On the Practice of Good Works
Be careful not to showcase your good deeds in front of others. If you do, you won’t receive any recompense from your Father in heaven.
Regarding Alms
When you give to the poor, do not make it public, like those who want to be seen in the synagogues and streets to garner praise from others. I assure you, they have already received their reward.
If you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
so that your gift remains truly secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Regarding Prayer
When you pray, don’t be like those who seek attention. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have their reward.
When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Regarding Fasting
When you fast, do not look miserable like the hypocrites do. They make a sad face so others can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have already received their reward in full.
When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful,
because you are not fasting to impress people but for your Father who sees what is done in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in private, will reward you.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That we may be discreet and unobtrusive in helping people in need, we pray:
– That we may learn to see the unspoken needs of modest, simple, timid people, we pray:
– That the Lord may make us generous of heart and hands, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
You give us not only all the things we need
But you give us the best of yourself
In your Son Jesus Christ.
Accept from our hands
these humble gifts of bread and wine,
which we have received from you
and through them let your Son come among us.
May they express that we too
are willing to share with others
without putting labels and price tags on our gifts,
and to give ourselves with Jesus,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit forever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God, our Father in heaven,
Your own gifts are often humble and veiled,
like the giving to us of your Son
in the signs of bread and wine.
God, who looks in the depths of our hearts,
teach us to share without display,
that our left hand does not know
What our right hand is giving.
Let it be enough for us to know that you know,
who are our Father
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Blessing
If we only love those who love us, we merely do what some people do who do not believe. We should not exclude anyone from our love, for that is the mark of the followers of Christ, to love people, as we love ourselves! May God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18
Dust loved by God: the hidden beauty within
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a quiet but powerful invitation: “When you give alms, pray, or fast, do so in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” (cf. Mt 6:1–6, 16–18)
This is not just about avoiding attention. It is a call to return to the heart — to that inner room where our truest self lives, and where God patiently waits. In a noisy world that pushes us to be seen, admired, applauded, Jesus invites us to step away from the stage and return to what is essential. “Go to your room,” He says. Not to escape the world, but to rediscover the truth of who we are: beloved dust, formed by God’s hands, loved with eternal love.
To give, to pray, to fast — not for show, but from the heart. This is the journey of authentic discipleship. The Word of God calls us back to simplicity, sincerity, and the quiet power of God's love working in secret. We are not here to impress others; we are here to encounter the God who sees us and loves us exactly as we are.
Perhaps, like Saint Francis, we are invited to strip away the things that no longer serve love. To put aside our masks, our pride, our need for approval. What remains is the truth: we are dust, yes — but dust that is loved. In that love, everything is made new.
Let us return to the heart. There, in silence, in prayer, in humble giving, the Father waits. And He says to each one of us: “I love you. Let me remind you of your beauty.”
Amen.
The hidden beauty within