HOW GENEROUSIS GOD?
As I read this Sunday's
readings, I was reminded of a story that a somewhat older priest once shared
with me during my seminary days. He was commenting on the work carried out by
the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in my country. This
priest accompanied them spiritually with some frequency, celebrating mass for
the sisters and for those who were assisted by them.
He remembered the poverty
of the sisters and the people they care for, and yet the essentials were never
needed for that work of Charity to work every day; although there were times
when he feared that the sisters would not even be able to have anything for themselves.
In a conversation between
this priest and the superior of the community of sisters, he insisted on
telling the sister to manage the little they had between food and medicine because
it seemed that it would not be enough for everyone or make it to the end of the
month. Well, the sister's response surprised him. They gave everything they had
to those most in need, and that was how it should be, even at the beginning of
each month they should not have accumulated anything because nothing they had
was theirs but rather the poor's. And at the end the sister added: “Do you not
believe in divine providence?” God always provides his people with what they
need. What a beautiful testimony of faith from this sister.
All this makes me remember
precisely a reality in which it seems we no longer trust as much: Divine Providence.
Those sisters have never lacked food and medicine for themselves and those they
care for. God has always been generous with his hands full to them and their
work of charity.
Let us meditate on God's
goodness toward all. The gospel (Jn
6, 1-15), tells us about this, God provides and gives in abundance.
Let us have faith, as we pray to God and do what we have to do and do it well.
Fr. Carlos Flores, OSA
