9.23.12 Lectio: Prv 3.27-34 Meditatio: "Say not to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,’ when you can give at once.” Prv 2.28 Oratio: " O God, You want us to be charitable to our neighbors. I remember one of Your proverbs is not make the person beg more and come back again when one could help them today. Grant that I may recognize You in those who come asking for help and give immediate help with what I can for that is Your way. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: Reflect on "give at once”; immediately; but it does not preclude prudence and inquiry, nor does it require impoverishment of oneself in order to respond; and giving helpful advice is often better than giving money or food; in prayer thank God for responding to my prayers and ask for the grace to imitate Him when others request help from me; and do what I am able at the moment. Tomorrow's reading: Prv 21.1-6,10-13