By Fr. Jovito Dales, SSC

In October 2, 2021, during an Opening Mass in Rome for the launching of the 2-year synod process, as reported by Christopher White in the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), the late Pope Francis said: “Every encounter, as we know, calls for openness, courage, and a willingness to let ourselves be challenged by the presence and stories of others.” I was privileged to have this kind of life-changing encounter.

For years, I have been helping, whenever possible, mission appeal Masses here in the Philippines with our active and energetic Mission Promotion coordinator in Mindanao, Mr. Bernardo Durangparang. One day, while distributing newsletters outside the cathedral in Pagadian City, an old woman who was selling candles approached and asked me: “What is it that you’re doing, Father?”  I looked at her: she was a little bent, with grey hair, and a gentle face. “Oh, we are Columban missionaries and we are doing mass appeal in your parish to thank you all for your continued support to us through prayers and financial help.” She seemed satisfied with my reply. She then went back to her place where she displayed her candles. A few minutes later, she approached me once again and gave me ten pesos (more or less equivalent to USD 0.20) as her donation to our mission. I looked at her smiling face. At the back of my mind, I knew she was earning a living not just for herself but for her grandkids, too. So, instead of accepting her money, I offered it back to her. With all sincerity, I told her: “Thank you, Lola (“grandma”), for being so thoughtful, but I think you need it more than we do.” To my surprise, she begged: “Please, Father, accept my little help for your mission. I will be okay.” Taken aback by her reply, I was speechless for a moment. Then, I hugged and thanked her. What a great display of generosity and kindness. Left alone, I felt embarrassed and humbled at the same time. Nevertheless, my heart was filled with joy and gratitude for such experience.

Ten years had passed, still I remember that encounter as if it just happened yesterday. It was a gift that continues to teach me valuable lessons about divine providence, as revealed brilliantly to us by the story of a widow’s mite (Lk. 21:1-4). Like that old woman selling candles, the widow in this pericope gave everything that she has, leaving nothing but her trust and confidence in God’s divine providence. What else is left for her needs to survive another day or two? And if she had a kid to feed, what then? Instead of finding answers to these questions, I turned toward God in my prayer and asked: “How can I repay our generous benefactors?”

Getting involved in facilitating recollection for Columban friends and benefactors has provided me with opportunities to express my gratitude to a multitude of generous friends of the Columbans here in the Philippines. Meeting them face to face, listening to their stories about their first encounter with Columban missionaries, having meals together, and praying with and for them have deepened my appreciation of their quiet accompaniment and support to our missions. These are simple, ordinary, kind, and generous people who in their own little ways fueled our missionary endeavors, many of which don’t even want to be named, Yet, they are there, present like a mist that seeps and creeps into the crevices of the doorways of our lives, quietly entering and enriching us with the depth of their faith and trust in God. Their prayer intentions that I read during our regular mass for Columban supporters demonstrate their deep trust in God and their selfless concern not only for their loved ones and friends, but also for those who suffer from various calamities and wars in various parts of the world.

One of the challenges in mission today is the overwhelming and seemingly insatiable hunger for power by those in authority that create ripples of misery and hopelessness to many innocent lives. “Grandma’s mite,” as I fondly called that unforgettable encounter, has this to offer to us who, in spite of the apparently insurmountable difficulties we are facing today, continue to work for a just and peaceful world: we are called to offer to those in need whatever we have, in whatever way we can, no matter how small.  The greatness of the grandma’s mite, and the widow’s mite in the gospel, is not so much with what they give, but their deep trust in the Giver who never fails them. We are challenged to emulate that same trust. I suppose that one little act of kindness, like one little candle we can all lit together, makes this darkened world a little brighter. We cannot give in to hopelessness. We cannot be overtaken by the darkness around us. We need to do something. That something could be just like “grandma’s mite.” It’s good enough, I believe.