Be generous
The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the world since the beginning of last year and is still with us. In the early days, some parishes raised funds to buy masks and protective materials for cleaning workers and seniors in different districts. The pandemic hit the economy hard and many families struggled financially. After learning about their plights, some parishioners immediately organised regular donations of supplies of necessities and food for the needy.
Although the pandemic is ruthless, love was never absent. In our battle against Covid-19, timely assistance and care has been provided to those in need. Through mutual support and sharing, we witness to Christ’s benevolence.
“And reach out your hand to the poor, so that your atonement and your blessing may be perfected” (Sirach 7:36). Many people think that good deeds can accumulate blessings. Even a trivial action that lends a helping hand to the disadvantaged, such as offering seats to seniors, or buying Caritas raffle tickets, donating to the Lenten fund, etc., will instill comfort and blissfulness in us.
Perhaps altruism is the ground for happiness. Perhaps we feel blessed because we do little things with a loving heart. Or, because giving entails more blessings than receiving. Surely it is because benevolence allows God to be seen and that we become a blessing to each other. Practicing love benefits both our body and soul!
How can we be altruistic? Jesus tells us “ “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood” (Luke 21:3-4). Mother Teresa of Calcutta devoted her life to service and is a perfect example. She dedicated everything to help those who are weak and helpless. In her mind, doing good should not end with donating money, but ends in giving true love and care to others, especially serving those who are underprivileged in society. She had nothing, but she demanded nothing; the grace of God illuminated her. She is adored by the whole world, but stayed humble. In her prayers, in everything she did and in her daily life, she worked for the glory of God.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever else you may do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). God is love. God loves us first and bestowed on us the capability to love. “You have received freely, so give freely” (Matthew 10:8).
Therefore, we need to be generous in doing good. “And to do good, to become rice in good works, to donate readily, to share, to gather for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain true life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
To make donations to the Lenten Campaign online, please visit: https://www.caritas.org.hk/en/e_donation
Lenten Campaign Organising Committee, 2021
