Word Alive
FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD
One night, a stormy rain stranded a couple on a remote country road. Unable to go any farther, they got out of their car and walked toward a dimly lit farmhouse.
When they reached the house, an elderly couple, carrying a kerosene lamp, met them at the door. Explaining their predicament, the man asked: "Could we spend the night with you? A place on the floor or a few easy chairs will do."
* * *
Seeing their condition, the elderly woman said, "Why surely, children. We just happen to have a spare bedroom.”
The next morning the newly weds got up early and prepared to leave without disturbing the elderly couple.
* * *
They dressed quietly, put a thousand peso bill on the dresser, and tiptoed down the stairs. When they opened the door to the living room, to their astonishment, they found the old couple asleep in the sofa. They had given the couple their only bedroom!
* * *
This heartwarming story is a modern illustration of the poor widow in the gospel of this 32nd Sunday of the year. Christ in the gospel praises the poor widow who drops two small copper coins, equivalent to a few centavos, in the temple treasury, unlike the others who "put in their surplus money" (Mk 12,43).
Although very poor, she put "all she had to live on."
* * *
The first lesson we can learn is that you don’t have to be wealthy in order to give to charity or help people. The example of the poor widow poignantly illustrates this. There are those who say, “I’ll give when I become rich or win the lotto” or “when I receive my retirement pension.” The question is, what if you won’t become rich at all or win the lottery or die before your retirement, does it mean you won’t reach out to the needy anymore?
* * *
The second lesson teaches that our giving is more meaningful and meritorious when it is accompanied by some pain or sacrifice. Remember the saying: “Give until it hurts?”
The rich in the gospel did not have this. They gave away only what was extra or disposable. There are some, for instance, who give away used items to indigents or calamity victims. That’s fine.
But many of the items donated are too old and unusable.
* * *
When we donate money for charity, what's our real motive? Is it because you want your name to be publicized? Or want something in return?
If such is your motive, then your giving is self-serving; it has strings attached. Christ teaches, "When you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it as the hypocrites do." (Mt 6,2).
* * *
This might be difficult for political candidates to do since they have to present their achievements, their plans, and platforms before the voters. That’s all right as long as they are telling the truth. Common sense dictates that a candidate must have an honest-to-goodness integrity. For instance, presenting an educational qualification that’s fake will already damage one’s credibility.
* * *
There are three kinds of GIVERS: grudge giver, duty giver, and love giver.
Grudge givers give but do it grudgingly or reluctantly. Duty givers give as an act of obligation. Love givers give because they want to, as an act of love. They do it freely from the heart (mula sa puso).
What kind of giver are you?
* * *
The lighter side. St. Peter (to new applicant at the Pearly Gates): And what good deeds did you do during your lifetime?
New applicant: Well, I once gave an old beggar P50 and P50 to another.
St. Peter: Anything else?
New applicant: I’m afraid no more.
St. Peter: Well, here’s your P100 back — you can go to Hell now!
* * *
Boxer’s favorite saying: It’s better to give than receive.
* * *
When an atheist or unbeliever of Christ, dies, he’s all dressed-up but nowhere to go!
* * *
Support seminarians. Please help our seminarians whose parents are badly affected by the Covid-19 economic crisis. Seminarians are very important in the church. Without them we cannot have priests, missionaries, bishops and popes.
Donate any amount or sponsor a seminarian's schooling good for one school year. For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected].