“In John’s gospel the Lord says: By this love you have for one another, everyone will know you are my disciples. “

St. Leo the Great, in a reading for today, says this is your test for Lent.  Do you find love for others growing within you? Especially, do you find yourself more forgiving towards those who have offended you and more generous to those in need?

If you do, then do not doubt God’s presence within you.

The saint particularly recommends love for the poor. “No act of devotion on the part of the faithful gives God more pleasure than the support that is lavished on his poor.”

You say you don’t have much to give.

Lack of resources isn’t a factor.  We don’t have to be wealthy to be generous to those in need. “ A generous spirit is itself great wealth.”

We need generous spirits today, don’t we?  They can be the hands of Christ, “who multiplies bread by breaking it and increases it by giving it away.”

“The greatest treasure will go to the one who has kept the least for himself. The holy apostle Paul tells us: He who provides seed for the sower will give bread for food, provide you with more seed, and increase the harvest of your goodness, in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, give us generous hearts.