The archangel Raphael revealed himself to Tobit and gave him some good advice. Acknowledge God always, he urged, — that means praise and gratitude. Don't keep God as your personal secret. If we were willing to talk about God just half of the time that we are willing to gossip, God would be praised indeed. There was even more good advice: the best piety is that which helps and blesses other people. Don't be self-centred in your spirituality, but do good deeds, give alms, and be a source of encouragement for others.

It is easy to give out of our abundance. If we give something but never feel the loss, how is that generous, kind, or loving? Often those who give huge donations are praised and treated differently than others, and it inflates their egos. Jesus insists that the widow's very small donation was truly greater than all the others, because she gave everything she had. We can only hope and pray that God blessed her with what she and her family needed. Our giving need not be money. Time is precious, and when we give our time for others, it is an act of kindness and generosity. Often just a word of kindness or encouragement is a great gift. We all have something to give, so let us pray that God open our hearts and teach us how to give generously.