How often do we hear people say, “If I get this project or If I get this deal or If I win this case, I will give ten percent to the Church…” While this may be noble, the most important question is, has this person been giving to the Church? Why this question? If the person has never developed the habit of giving to begin with, then never expect that the person will give when the stakes are higher. In other words, it all starts small.
From vices to virtues it often starts small. How are there people who can steal billions and still sleep at night? It all started small. How are there people who can give significantly without counting the cost or being applauded by the world? It all started small.
The Gospel reminds us that such is the kingdom of God. It is like a mustard seed, but when it grows it becomes such a huge tree bringing joy both to human beings and the birds.
Hence, three things we remember:
- Never underestimate even the smallest act of kindness. How often does it occur that we help out someone and just thought it was no big deal? Then one day we see that person very happy and what a big difference our help did to the person’s life.
- Never mind the numbers, just do your best in helping out. Sometimes, we can be so overwhelmed with the work that is to be done. Just like the Gospel story where Philip was asked to do something to feed 5000 men, not even counting the women and the children. For the boy who gave 5 loaves of bread and two fishes, he probably thought only a few people would benefit from this. In the mind of God, all 5000 will eat, with even an excess of 12 full baskets.
- No excuse needed to be kind. There is a saying, “No one is so rich, that he or she cannot receive and no one is so poor that he or she cannot share.” All of us have the capacity to share and to be beneficiaries of other people’s goodness. Remember whether in plenty or simplicity, it is all lent to us.
That is why in each Mass we remember a famous quote:
Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
May heaven be our destiny.
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 
Fr. Mon, these are the thoughts which enable us to improve our daily living–simple and practical. I pray that with the thought you implanted, we put the thought into action, then becomes a habit, then becomes character & thereafter, we will find ourselves in Heaven!! Easier said than done. But God sees our hearts. As long as we are trying to do it, God will help us attain it. Thank you, Fr. Mon, for these simple thoughts and yet could be life changing and destiny changing too!!
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