The Root of All Evil

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray, fast and to give alms.

The primary reason we pray is not to have peace and happiness; the primary reason we fast is not to lose weight or have good health; the primary reason we give alms is not to bring about a better world or a better life for people. No.

The primary reason we pray, fast and give alms is for the love of Jesus, to give ourselves to Him in return for all He has given to us.

And how do we give our money to Jesus – by giving to the Church and to the poor – the two groups Jesus has identified himself with.

When Jesus confronted Paul before his conversion, he said to Paul “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me.” The Church is the body of Christ and he is its head. Jesus identifies himself with the Church. When we give money to the Church we give to Jesus.

In the teaching on the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 Jesus said, whatever you do for the least of my brethren, whatever you do for the poor you do for me. Jesus identifies himself with the poor.

We give to the poor because it is giving to Jesus.

So when we pray, or fast or give alms we are giving ourselves to God in thanksgiving for all he has done for us.