St Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney is known for not showing any academic acumen as a seminarian. Priesthood seemed impossible but he was ordained because of his holiness rather than any academic achievement. Yet, upon being made the cure (parish priest) of the remote parish of Ars, Vianney eventually became a celebrated confessor who spent up to eighteen hours a day dispensing God's mercy and compassion in the confessional. His dedication and devout life reflects Jesus' generosity.

In Matthew's episode of Jesus facing the large hungry crowds, the disciples' initial ungenerous instinct was to send the people away so that they could buy food for themselves. But the Lord's instruction was: "Give them something to eat yourselves." Instead of transferring the problem to the people themselves, the Lord challenges the disciples to take care of the people without fearing how impossible the task may seem. What is important is the desire to do it - the little that one has, as symbolized by the five loaves and two fish - is all that is needed because God will do the rest generously.

The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand took place because of the disciples' willing participation. Vianney nourished the spiritual health of the thousands who came to see him without fearing that it would be beyond his capacity to cope. He was just generous with the needy.

Now, what is your response when the Lord asks you for something that is seemingly impossible?