John of Matha: Gathering alms

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

“The life of John of Matha was one long course of self-sacrifice for the glory of God and the good of his neighbor. As a child, his chief delight was serving the poor; and he often told them he had come into the world for no other end but to wash their feet.

He studied at Paris with such distinction that his professors advised him to become a priest, in order that his talents might render greater service to others; and, for this end, John gladly sacrificed his high rank and other worldly advantages…

[John] founded the Order of the Holy Trinity. [The order] fasted every day, and gathering alms throughout Europe took them to [the barbarians of North Africa], to redeem the Christian slaves. They devoted themselves also to the sick and prisoners in all countries. The charity of John in devoting his life to the redemption of captives was visibly blessed by God.

On his second return from Tunis he brought back one hundred and twenty liberated slaves. But the Moors attacked him at sea, overpowered his vessel, and doomed it to destruction, with all on board, by taking away the rudder and sails, and leaving it to the mercy of the winds.

John tied his cloak to the mast, and prayed, saying, “Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered. O Lord, Thou wilt save the humble, and wilt bring down the eyes of the proud.” Suddenly the wind filled the small sail, and, without guidance, carried the ship safely in a few days to Ostia, the port of Rome, three hundred leagues from Tunis…

Let us never forget that our blessed Lord, bade us love our neighbor not only as ourselves, but as He loved us, Who afterwards sacrificed Himself for us.”

John of Matha (1160-1213) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 8 February reading.

John of Matha set aside his desires through fasting and pleaded with people across Europe to give money so he could aid those in crisis. In the case of this story, he did a massive fundraising effort to save the lives of 120 people. He valued people over possessions and asked others to share this view.

Here’s the sad reality. Not everyone will.

I had a young Christian worker that I really liked working with in India ask to unsubscribe to my GTP emails. Here’s what he said. “Good to see the progress of GTP. However, I have been receiving a few fundraising appeals from GTP in the recent times, requesting you to please take me off the list.”

I loved and served that bloke freely, and it would be one thing for him to delete the emails. But to ask to unsubscribe broke my heart not for myself but for him. This verse comes to mind. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:17

Like John of Matha, I am unashamedly crying for help to aid people.

If you have been reading my posts daily, you know that I have called and gathering alms for serving war-torn people in Ukraine. But don’t give because I am asking. Give here because “our blessed Lord, bade us love our neighbor not only as ourselves, but as He loved us, Who afterwards sacrificed Himself for us.”

And I am doing it before I enter as connectivity may be greatly limited.

As I enter Ukraine I pray this prayer with John of Matha: “Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered. O Lord, Thou wilt save the humble, and wilt bring down the eyes of the proud. And I trust that the wind of the Holy Spirit will guide us safely on our journey and help us lead many to faith through preaching and teaching.

Free 120 prisoners from slavery to sin, Lord Jesus, through our service and sacrifice.

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I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

“Make your people known for the unity and profession of their faith. Inspire the hearts of your people with your word and your teaching. You called us to preach the Gospel of your Christ and to encourage them to lives and works pleasing to you. “I now return to you, your people, your gift to me. Direct them with your powerful right hand, and protect them under the shadow of your wings. May all praise and glorify your name, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Cyril of Thessalonica (827-869) as quoted in an old Slavonic biography of Saint Cyril.

Cyril and Methodius (815-884) are know widely as the Apostles to the Slavs. Here in Slovakia, I see many signs to this day celebrating them as the fathers of the Christian faith.

I cite this prayer today because of this phrase: “I now return to you, your people, your gift to me.” Their service aimed to win a people to Christ and they gave the fruits of their efforts, the people, back to God.

Imagine giving to God the fruits of a lifetime of effort? What would that look like for you? What would you give the Lord? Imagine the impact? More than a thousand years later, your toil is still remembered and celebrated.

At the church where we met yesterday in Poprad, Slovakia, I saw this cross above the open door to our meeting room. I paused, snapped the photo, and gave thanks for the open door for ministry this week going so well.

Has God set before you an open door like He did for Cyril and and Methodius? Or like He has for Gabriel and me this week. What would it look like for you to inspire people with the word of God and teaching?

Last night, Gabriel and I made it to Košice, Slovakia, near the western border to Ukraine. Relief workers here are exhausted! Few remain willing to aid refugees. If you have not yet made a gift to deliver help and hope, give here today.

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For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

“Balthildes was an Englishwoman, who was carried over whilst yet young into France, and there sold for a slave, at a very low price, to Erkenwald, mayor of the palace under King Clovis II. When she grew up, her master was so much taken with her prudence and virtue that he placed her in charge of his household. The renown of her virtues spread through all France, and King Clovis II took her for his royal consort.

This unexpected elevation produced no alteration in a heart perfectly grounded in humility and the other virtues; she seemed to become even more humble than before. Her new station furnished her the means of being truly a mother to the poor; the king gave her the sanction of his royal authority for the protection of the Church, the care of the poor, and the furtherance of all religious undertakings.

The death of her husband left her regent of the kingdom. She at once forbade the enslavement of Christians, did all in her power to promote piety, and filled France with hospitals and religious houses. As soon as her son Clotaire was of an age to govern, she withdrew from the world and entered the convent of Chelles.

Here she seemed entirely to forget her worldly dignity, and was to be distinguished from the rest of the community only by her extreme humility, her obedience to her spiritual superiors, and her devotion to the sick, whom she comforted and served with wonderful charity. As she neared her end, God visited her with a severe illness, which she bore with Christian patience until, on the 30th of January, 680, she yielded up her soul in devout prayer.”

Balthildes of Chelles (c. 626-680) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 30 January reading.

As I travel in Eastern Europe, I am finding inspiration from saints whose generous service shaped society in the castles and structures of days long past.

Bathildes is one of those saints who made the most of her “for such a time as this” moment.

She went from slave to queen long after Esther in the pages of the Old Testament, and did not let this shift corrupt her. She used her place as consort to serve as a conduit of blessing.

What about you? What work has God “furnished” you to do?

Let’s read again what Butler reports about Bathildes: “Her new station furnished her the means of being truly a mother to the poor; the king gave her the sanction of his royal authority for the protection of the Church, the care of the poor, and the furtherance of all religious undertakings.”

And notice what else she did. Rather than hold the post indefinitely, she passed the work on to her son, Clotaire. That may be her greatest accomplishment. This act would ensure sustainability.

Ponder today both on the work God has furnished you to do, and how you will pass that on to others so it continues to shower generous blessing long after you are gone.

And thanks for your prayers for our program work in Slovakia today.

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Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

“You will catch more flies,” St. Francis used to say, “with a spoonful of honey than with a hundred barrels of vinegar. Were there anything better or fairer on earth than gentleness, Jesus Christ would have taught it us; and yet He has given us only two lessons to learn of Him—meekness and humility of heart.”

Francis de Sales (1567-1622) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 29 January reading.

Related to our generosity, we need to think: honey. Francis equates it with meekness and humility of heart. What is the difference between meekness and humility?

Meekness (often translated as gentleness) refers to our posture toward others, whereas Humility is our view of ourselves before God.

I am learning in Europe that my interaction with people needs to drip like honey with meekness and humility as the typical American posture often exhibits the opposite traits.

And let me explain the connection between today’s post and the new header photo. Southern Czechia is Moravian wine country. Between every other row they plant beautiful wildflowers.

I learned this accomplishes two strategic purposes. Firstly, it brings insects that eat the pests that could harm the grapes (or in the words of Francis, “You will catch more flies…”).

Secondly it enriches the soil for more healthy grapes. Likewise, imagine how we can draw and enrich others generously with meekness and humility. Make it so, Lord Jesus.

Heading from Czechia to Slovakia today for meetings and training work in Bratislava, Poprad, and Košice. Appreciate your prayers for receptive hearts. And still praying for additional aid to deliver to Ukraine.

Give here to deliver hope and help: $10 provides 30 small loaves of bread for suffering people in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. This bread is the perfect compliment to the honey of meekness and humility. Thanks.

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But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

“Veronica’s parents were peasants of a village near Milan. From her childhood she toiled hard in the house and the field, and accomplished cheerfully every menial task. Gradually the desire for perfection grew within her; she became deaf to the jokes and songs of her companions…

The community was extremely poor, and Veronica’s duty was to beg through the city for their daily food… She was afflicted with secret but constant bodily pains, yet never would consent to be relieved of any of her labors, or to omit one of her prayers. By exact obedience she became a living copy of the rule, and obeyed with a smile…

She died in 1497, on the day she had foretold, after a six months’ illness, aged fifty-two years, and in the thirtieth of her religious profession. When Veronica was urged in sickness to accept some exemption from her labors, her one answer was, “I must work while I can, while I have time.” Dare we, then, waste ours?”

Veronica of Milan (1445-1497) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 13 January reading.

“I must work while I can, while I have time.”

I shiver when people say that they steward “time, talent, and treasure” from God. Why, you may ask? The reality is, we do not steward time because we do not possess time.

I may possess talent and treasure, but I have no guarantee of the next minute, hour, day, week, or year.

When we think we steward time, we put off to tomorrow what God desires we do today. We do not know what tomorrow holds. No one does. That’s why, on each “today” we must encourage each other to faithful service.

And the writer of Hebrews explains what causes us to put off the good work God has for us.

We become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It happens to all of us. God forgive us and inspire us by the example of Veronica today. Despite affliction, she focused on caring for the poor. She worked for God while she had time.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48. She was a living copy of a soul who aimed at perfection.

What is the work God has called you to do? How does the deceitfulness of sin try to distract or hinder you from doing that important work? Ask the Spirit to make you a living copy of humble, generous service.

So, far, my meetings are going well for me in Czechia. God is forming an amazing team. More later. Thanks for your prayers.

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“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45

“We clothe ourselves in purple and fine linen, and leave Jesus in poverty and neglect.”

Henry II of Bavaria (973-1024) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 15 July reading.

This reading struck me as I am in the region known as Bohemia a millennium ago. It’s adjacent to ancient Bavaria.

Back in the day, Butler reports that “The forests and mines of the empire, the best that his treasury could produce, were consecrated to the sanctuary… Henry deprived himself of many things to enrich the house of God.”

It reminds me that we must say “no” to some things to say “yes” to Jesus who sits in poverty and neglect.

If you have not watched it, click here see the front lines relief work of Andrey Kravtsev serving the “least of these” in Kharkiv, Ukraine. I will preach at his church in two weeks and supply emergency aid.

While aid to Ukraine as strong in the early days of the war and through the winter, it’s very hard now.

As I stated previously, a gift of even $10 will supply 30 small loaves of bread through Bread of Life ministry in Donetsk. We must not leave Jesus in poverty and neglect. Please make even a small gift for Jesus today.

Say “no” to a coffee or other small purchase so some displaced person can eat a meal and experience the love of Jesus.

And thanks for your prayers. My meetings with strategic partners have gone well so far in Czechia and continue here for two more days. I feel God’s hand leading and guiding every conversation for strengthening churches and ministries here.

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How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. Acts 10:38

“Genevieve was born at Nanterre, near Paris… During the siege of Paris by Childeric, king of the Franks, Genevieve went out with a few followers and procured corn for the starving citizens. Nevertheless Childeric, though a pagan, respected her, and at her request spared the lives of many prisoners. By her exhortations again, when Attila and his Huns were approaching the city, the inhabitants, instead of taking flight, gave themselves to prayer and penance, and averted, as she had foretold, the impending scourge. Clovis, when converted from paganism by his holy wife, St. Clotilda, made Genevieve his constant adviser, and, in spite of his violent character, made a generous and Christian king. She died within a few weeks of that monarch, in 512, aged eighty-nine… Genevieve was only a poor peasant girl, but Christ dwelt in her heart. She was anointed with His Spirit, and with power; she went about doing good, and God was with her.”

Genevieve of Paris (419-512) in The Lives of the Saints by Alan Butler, 1894 (Global Grey edition, 2019) 3 January reading. Here’s the link to a PDF copy of this book if you want to download it freely.

I am safely in Vranov, Czechia, just north of Brno, in the home of a friend, Milan Hluchý (pictured above at sunset last night).  Because I am traveling the next three weeks with limited internet, I downloaded this classic to inspire my service and yours.

Notice how Genevieve rallied others to join her in procuring corn for the starving citizens. This reminds me of part of the reason for our mission to Ukraine. With 6.5 million internally displaced people, many are starving and in need of food.

Through Bread of Life ministry in Donetsk, we can purchase 3,000 small loaves for only $1,000. That’s one example of the aid will supply. And we trust God will be with us and protect us despite the siege of Ukraine by Russia.

Additionally, we have many meetings in Kyiv and Lviv. An alliance is forming with 39 organizations wanting to exhibit consistent stewardship and follow standards for sustainable ministry now and after the war.

But right now, join me in praying for the Czechs and the Slovaks, whom I serve this week. And give as you are able to our efforts in Eastern Europe and Ukraine. We can do good together and bring healing because God is with us.

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And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! Without doubt they would devote all their care and concern to winning for themselves pains and afflictions. All men throughout the world would seek trouble, infirmities, torments, instead of good fortune, in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace.”

Rose of Lima (1586-1617) in Letter as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 526.

I located this reading a month ago. I returned to it as I think about spending the next three weeks in Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Moldova. I am praying for divine grace as I travel.

When this posts, I should on my way to Brno, Czechia. I am thankful for the grace to serve Christian workers in Czechia and Slovakia this week. Let me know if you want my itinerary for prayer.

When we move toward others in service, we discover untold riches and experience unfathomable joys and delights. And the hardships we endure, just give us opportunities to learn more about God’s faithfulness.

He is able to make His grace about to us. But He does not do that until we act, move, give, serve, love in a way that exceeds human capacities and demonstrates reliance on Him.

What about you? Remember, the hands that give and serve are never empty or weak, all because of grace. To whom might God be leading you to move toward and devote yourself to their care today?

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Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8-9

“Prosperity and adversity, wealth and poverty, health and sickness, honors and humiliations, life and death, in the mind of the wise man, are not to be sought for their own sake, nor avoided for their own sake. But if they contribute to the glory of God and your eternal happiness, then they are good and should be sought. If they detract from this, they are evil and must be avoided.”

Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) in Letter of Saint Henry from Lives of the Saints as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 526.

There’s so much wisdom here.

In Proverbs, the sage urges us to aim not at avoiding poverty or attaining riches but at trusting God for our daily bread. That’s precisely the instruction of Jesus in the Lord’s prayer.

Then Bellarmine echoes this wisdom in plain terms for us.

The things most people spend themselves and their money to attain or avoid–“Prosperity and adversity, wealth and poverty, health and sickness, honors and humiliations, life and death”–must not steal our focus.

We must focus on bringing glory and honor to God, which impacts our eternal happiness. In other words, we should make stewardship decisions not with the next 30 years in view. That’s what the world says.

We should, as Michael Blue keenly says, “Make decisions with the next 30 million years in view.”

So, when we have things we must put them to work (not hoard them on earth), realizing that our actions will impact our eternal happiness. And when we don’t have things we must ask God to supply them.

In this way God always gets the glory and we assure our eternal joy.

I leave for Eastern Europe and Ukraine today. Could you pray for safe passage and fruitful GTP service from 16 June to 7 July and for provision for the travel, transfers, and relief efforts? I appreciate it.

And if you have resources to put in play through generous giving, click here.

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

“We are taught and advised to abandon temporal riches, to lay aside earthly goods, and to strove to reach the eternal and everlasting dwelling-places in heaven. For present glory is fleeting and meaningless, while it is possessed, unless in it we can glimpse something of heaven’s eternity.”

Henry the Exuberant (973-1024) in Letter of Saint Henry from Lives of the Saints as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 525.

I had a video interview with Saraí Súchite, founder and director of Honey World, a business as mission effort in Guatemala yesterday. She’s replicated GTP trainings in Guatemala and Costa Rica and so we were meeting to gather her impact story.

She said something that seemed to echo this post I read earlier in the day. She said that while we may be taught about stewardship and generosity, we don’t realize it is the way to live until we lay aside the good things God has give us to receive His best.

And she added, and “giving hands are never empty.” I just loved that. Ponder with me a moment. The reason we are taught and advised to let go of wealth is because it hinders our running of the race set before us. You can’t imagine a sprinter or a marathon runner carrying a suitcase, can you?

So, the lesson for our generosity today is this. Do as you are taught and advised. Lay that stuff aside and give generously because “giving hands are never empty.” Strive to finish the race set before you. Keep your focus on your eternal dwelling. Storing treasures there. With you!

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