February 20, 2008
Dear Jesus:
Many times, we do things expecting recognition. Unfortunately, nowadays, the world we live in pushes us in that direction. If we do a good deed that is "big," it gets stamped all over the papers. Probably, our original intention was not to be in the media. We did it out of love. But we have to be careful not to let all the attention go to our head. We can learn from St. Teresa of Calcutta whom the media loved and yet, she always managed to remain humble.
We also have to be careful with our charity. Those that give "a little" do it knowing that they won't get any recognition for it. They just do it with great love. Those that give "a lot" may also do it with great love but unfortunately, all the recognition they receive tends to overshadow the love. I truly dislike the "donor rolls" that many organizations, schools, and even parishes publish. I feel it takes away from the spirit of giving. Didn't You say, "don't let your right hand know what your left one is doing?" Then why is it necessary to announce to the whole world the size of every person's donation? I imagine that part of the reason is to motivate others into giving. It's the condition of human nature. Just like we want a new car when our neighbor gets one, we may be moved to give if we see how charitable our neighbor is.
The bottom line is that we have turned the world into a place where the higher the deed, the bigger the recognition, where size matters more than the intention, where those that give a lot get their names printed on plaques and even on buildings. But at the end of the day, I truly believe that what matters most to You is not how much we give but how much love we put in the giving, it's not how many hours we serve but how much love we put in the serving. A penny given with love is worth more than a million dollars given just for the recognition. An hour from someone that struggles every day is worth more than a month of service from someone that is just doing it for the attention. When we give a little, but we give with great love, we may not get recognized by the world but we definitely get recognized by You. And that's the only recognition that we should be seeking.
I love You, Jesus!!!
February 20, 2017
Dear Jesus:
We always have the option to give anonymously and to serve quietly. The important thing is to do it with love.
"In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them." St. Teresa of Calcutta
Teach me to give with great love.
St. Teresa, pray for us.
I love You, Jesus!!!
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