Today’s date marks an important day in my family’s history. It is the day my dad was ordained a Permanent Deacon. As of today, we have had an ordained minister in our family for 17 years. This has been a singular blessing for us, as he has been able to baptize numerous grandchildren and even witness a few of our wedding vows. I mean, not many people can say, “Yeah, my Dad baptized my kids!” As we celebrate his anniversary, today’s readings remind me of one of my Dad’s biggest virtues: generosity.

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
-2 Cor 9:6-10

Growing up, we had very little since my mom stayed home with the eight of us and we all went to Catholic schools, but no matter how little we had, my parents never stopped giving. I remember accompanying my mom on trips in our big red Econoline van to carry clothing to the migrants who worked in the apple fields. We would also pick up day-old bread and bring it out to the Carmelite nuns. I would go to refugees’ houses with my dad to bring them furniture or help them fix something. Every day at dinner we would pray for the children we sponsored in the Philippines, affording them daily food and clothing and a decent education. I know there are many, many more things they did for others that I never even knew about.

In return, God was not outdone in generosity. Whenever we were short, a check would show up in the mail or a hot meal at our door. When my mom got sick, neighbors and friends stepped up to take care of us. We never lacked anything and we never went hungry. God always took care of us. I truly believe that the more generous we are to others, the more generous God is to us. He shines down His thankful smiles for our willingness to help another one of His beloved children. So here’s an encouraging word to increase your giving so that God may “make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, [you will always have] all you need.”

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