Reflection on Sunday's readings

We read in our first reading that when we lend money to someone we are not to demand interest. Also, if someone gives his cloak as a pledge, we are to return it to him before sunset. These guidelines would seem quite strange if we were to implement them today. However, how do we make the sensitivity and care reflected in these guidelines operative in the way that we deal with one another, especially with those in need whom we are moved to help out? It could mean that we don’t add extra burdens to those whom we help out. It would most likely mean that the question, “what’s in it for me?” would be answered by our saying that our helping out someone blesses us with the good feeling that we did something nice, caring and helpful to someone else in the name of our all-generous God.