Bukas palad is such a felicitous Filipino expression of what generosity is all about. To be generous is to have open hands, willing and ready to give everything in one’s palms. To be truly generous is to give without limits nor conditions. And the wonderful thing is that open hands are ready to receive newer and more blessings. Sometimes, in my selfishness or insecurity I worry and close my hands afraid that I might lose even the little that I may have. This is a scarcity mentality. And close hands become a fist. I get angry, envious of others who have more than I do. And a closed fist cannot receive and accept the graces coming my way.
“Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.”
Prayer for Generosity (St. Ignatius of Loyola)
And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” Mark 4:21-25