Fine Flour

"To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. In works of charity one offers fine flour, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise." Sir 35:1

What a beautifully crafted reminder: In works of charity one offers fine flour! In recent months I have been trying to learn how to bake. It is a great challenge. A baker can't change the amount of the ingredients without risking that the bread will not rise properly or bake evenly. It is the same same with charity.

Those who are willing and able to care for others, especially the most needy, have to be very careful. Charity is not about fulfilling our obligations or working to make ourselves and others feel better. Charity emerges from seeing others as children of God and giving them "fine flour" not just stale crusts or leftover bread.

When others do this for us, our hearts are moved, even changed. We realize that others are seeing us not as pitiful underachievers but as God's precious children. We receive "fine flour" we know we are receiving from another's substance and can only be grateful that we are not objects of false charity, but subjects of immense value.

Today, give someone from your substance, listen to them with your heart.

When have your received "fine flour" from others and how did you react.