Homily for the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours

In today's first reading, St. Paul commended his faithful friends who fulfilled their part in service of the Gospel. While in prison, simply knowing that his friends had not forgotten him lifted his spirit. He told them he could cope with his circumstances, regardless of the challenges.

His friends' gift did more than make his cell more bearable; it gave him consolation, knowing that they still cared for him.

In our lives, we must be both generous givers and grateful receivers. After giving what we can to those in need, we must gladly accept our reliance on others in different ways.

The Gospel instructs us to make generous use of what we have and not be slaves of money or material possessions. In such matters, what some think important may be trivial in God's eyes. If we are faithful in such small matters, we may look forward with hope to much greater things.