The Generosity of the Poor

"𝑰'𝒎 𝒔𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅. 𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝒎𝒈𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒐 𝒑𝒂 𝒓𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐.

𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒂 𝒚𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒂, 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝒑𝒂 𝒚𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒚."

--𝑱𝒐𝒚 𝑨𝒏𝒏𝒆 𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆

While preparing for my Gospel Reflection on "Corpus Christi" or "The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ," I came across an inspiring story of a generous parking boy.

The young boy noticed a woman who seemed hungry while waiting for her mother around lunchtime. Despite his own limited means, he felt deeply concerned for her. She recalled that at 12:20 PM, he approached her and started a conversation, inquiring why she had not eaten lunch yet. In the end, he asked for P20 pesos. She thought he was asking for money for himself and told him she had no cash. A few minutes later, he returned with a turon (banana spring roll) he had bought for her using the few coins she had given him earlier.

It reminds me of a story told by Cardinal Tagle about his encounter with a vendor of barquillos (crispy rolled wafer pastry). In Manila, he was with his friend in a car. When they stopped at traffic lights, several street vendors approached them. His friend's driver told the vendors they weren't buying anything, so the vendors moved on to the next car. However, one vendor returned, running, calling the cardinal and showing his box of barquillos. The driver repeated that they were not interested in his barquillos. The vendor insisted, saying he wasn't selling but wanted to give the barquillos to the cardinal as a gift. With tears in his eyes recalling this story, Cardinal Tagle said, "This poor man, who needed every cent to live, was willing to give up his profit just to be able to give a simple gift to his bishop."

This act of kindness from someone with so little reminds us of the true spirit of giving and compassion. Just as Christ gives Himself to us in the Eucharist, we are called to give of ourselves to others, especially those in need. The parking boy's generosity and concern for the woman's hunger reflect the love and selflessness that Christ teaches us.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, let us remember to embody these values in our daily lives, showing compassion and generosity to everyone we encounter.

***

Joy Anne shared their conversation:

"Me: Hindi ko nga alam e. Di pa kasi tapos sila Mama sa loob. Kumain ka na? Ba't nasa labas ka? Bawal ang bata diba?

Him: Opo Ate. Nakisubo ako sa mga guard, katatapos lang. Dito lang talaga ako sa parking. Ikaw di ka pa ba kakain?

Me: Hintayin ko na sila Mama. Wala pala kasi akong dalang wallet.

Him: Edi gutom ka na niyan? Ano bang gusto mong kainin may canteen naman dito bilhan kita.

Me: Wag na. Okay lang ako. Hintayin ko nalang sila baka patapos na yun.

Him: May bente ka ba jan? (Akala ko nanghihingi)

Me: Puro coins lang to e, wala akong wallet talaga. Sorry.

Him: Ehhh? Magugutom ka niyan sana dumating na kasama mo"

The boy left but returned shortly, knocked on her car window again, and handed her a turon.

Him: "Ate oh. Turon. Binilhan kita. Di ka kasi nagbigay ng bente e. Para sana kanin nalang bibilhin ko, 20 lang naman ulam pwede na."

"Pinipilit ko na sya nalang yung kumain ng turon kasi nakisubo lang sya sa mga guard na nag-aalaga sa kanya. Pero yung 10 pesos na inabot ko earlier pinangbili nya pa ng turon kasi gutom na daw ako."

She was touched by the generosity of the boy:

"I'm so touched. May mga tao pa rin talagang ganito. Minsan kung sino pa yung walang wala, sila pa yung nagbibigay."

"Alam kasi nila ang hirap kapag nagugutom kaya kung meron silang makita na gutom, gagawa sila ng paraan upang maibsan ang gutom ng iba," said a netizen.