Are You Out For #1?

 Being a performing musician for sometime I found that part of my joy was derived with meeting a variety of people. When meeting fellow musicians there were predominantly two types. Those that were humble and would go out of their way to help others in need. There were times when I would loan cables or straps to those that had forgotten them in the hustle and bustle of loading out. The other memorable type were those that loved to brag about themselves and how great they were. Coming and going I found that the ones that locally became the most successful were those that were humble and helpful. They would get more gigs, better spots and had more of a draw than others. The truth is we reap what we sew. God wants us to put in and help out our fellow man as much as we can. You never know when you will be the one that needs help. I find the more I turn my life over to God the more peace and love I find. With my fellow man I find the more I am warm, open and accepting as Jesus called for the more support I receive and aid when I need it. Life can be hard enough on its own, so having God in my corner for help with a fellowship of disciples is invaluable. While my ego may call me to just look out for number one, it is true that one is the loneliest number. The more I find company with God and others the more fulfilling life is. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 6The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. 9As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God; Responsorial Psalm Psalms 112:1-4, 9 1Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures for ever. 4Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and righteous. 9He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn is exalted in honor. Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 1"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.