“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40
The Lord is very clear that we must have generous hearts to enter His Kingdom. We must give everything, unselfishly to His Kingdom. Jesus is very, very clear that those who are able to help others who have little must do so. It’s not just a suggestion. It’s a commandment.
I believe at times, the Lord makes personal visits to check on us – especially when the odor of our generosity raises sweetly to His throne. See as St. Faustina relates the story of Jesus visits the gate as a poor man – Divine Mercy # 1312
“My daughter, the blessings of the poor who bless Me as they leave this gate have reached My ears. And your compassion, within the bounds of obedience, has pleased Me, and this is why I came down from My throne — to taste the fruits of your mercy”
I’ve had encounters through the years that made me wonder if they were encounters with Jesus.
St. Theresa of Calcutta famously described her ministry as the “Gospel on five fingers,” as she counted out the words on her hand: “You. Did. It. To. Me.”
But, generosity doesn’t just sprout from our pocket books. Especially not truly generous hearts for God. Many in the world do generous things to be seen, for tax breaks, for some agenda. But, only the soul looking for Jesus has a fragrance of action that rides like clouds on incense to the throne of God. This soul’s generous heart becomes to God to ‘come and see how much I love You.’
So, today we turn to the Holy Spirit asking His Fire to fill our hearts and souls with a desire to see God in everyone we encounter, and to act according to the gift Jesus gave us. Giving generously of love.