Cheerful sacrifice

Today’s readings – both the Gospel (Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18 [verses 7-15 will be tomorrow’s Gospel]) and the first reading (2 Cor. 9:6-11) – reinforce the importance of a positive attitude when engaged in sacrifice: e.g., when giving of one’s resources...

whoever sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined,
without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.

...or when fasting...

"When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden
will repay you."

Are we cheerful and generous followers of Christ - who accepted even death on a cross - or are we reluctant and resentful?