Jun 19 – St Philip Minh, Priest and Companions, Martyrs
St Philip Minh is a Vietnamese martyr. Born in Vietnam, he joined the Society for Foreign Missions of Paris and was ordained a priest with the purpose of working for the Church in Vietnam. Seized by anti-Catholic forces, he was beheaded. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
Vietnamese Martyrs, also known as the Martyrs of Annam, Martyrs of Tonkin and Cochinchina, Martyrs of Indochina, are saints on the General Roman Calendar who were canonized by Pope John Paul II. On June 19, 1988, thousands of Overseas Vietnamese worldwide gathered at the Vatican for the Celebration of the Canonization of 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, an event chaired by Monsignor Tran Van Hoai. Their memorial is on November 24 (although several of these saints have another memorial, having been beatified and on the calendar prior to the canonization of the group).
2 Cor 9:6-10
Mt 6:1-6,16-18
Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to…
This passage has resonated with me deeply in the past few weeks.
Having recently completed my studies, I found myself with more time on my hands. I eagerly made plans for this newfound freedom—short trips, Pilates classes, painting, and volunteering as a counsellor. For the first time in a long while, I had no readings, assignments, deadlines, nor exams. It was a taste of true freedom.
However, a couple of weeks into this blissful period, an acquaintance reached out, asking me to help with some work for their organization. From the tone of their message, I could tell it would be gruelling, tedious work. My immediate reaction was to say ‘No’. Every fibre of my being resisted the idea. I hesitated to respond, wrestling with myself. One part of me was frustrated at the thought of someone else dictating how I should spend my precious time. The other part felt guilty for not being a good Catholic, for not using the time God had given me to help others.
Eventually, I relented and spent the next few days immersed in this work. As I slogged through it, I grew increasingly upset. The tasks were time-consuming and felt meaningless. It was evident that the initial work had not even been reviewed properly. Despite my frustration, I committed to doing my best, ensuring that anything bearing my name was of high quality. Though I fulfilled my promise, I did so begrudgingly.
Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to….
Reflecting on the verse, God loves a cheerful giver, I realized I had missed the point. I was far from cheerful. Instead, I was resentful and bitter about what I perceived as wasted time and effort. However, St. Paul tells us that our giving should be voluntary and come from a cheerful heart. While he may be referring to financial giving, this principle extends to all forms of service.
It is often said that one should never do something for someone if they are going to complain about it later. We should only serve, give, or do what we are willing to do happily, without regret or complaint. This is a valuable lesson, though it can be difficult to always put into practice. Whatever we do must come from the heart.
I have much to learn from a friend who exemplifies this spirit of cheerful giving. I often jokingly refer to her as a ‘sucker’ because people frequently take advantage of her goodwill. Despite this, she remains undeterred. She wakes up at the crack of dawn to cook a large pot of soup or porridge, loads her car with cooking and serving supplies, picks up additional breakfast items from vendors, and sets up the church canteen to serve the first morning mass. At other times, she takes orders for items, drives across the Causeway for hours to pick them up, and delivers them door-to-door. She is truly a saint in the making, performing all these tasks cheerfully and willingly.
This experience taught me an important lesson. True giving, as the scripture suggests, comes from a place of willingness and joy, not obligation or guilt. Moving forward, I will discern that my service and contributions are meaningful and purposeful for those on the receiving end. While I may never attain the level of cheerfulness and willingness that my friend demonstrates, I aim to align my actions with a cheerful heart. I will strive to ensure that my contributions, no matter how small, are given freely and with love.
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Gal 6:9
(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)
Prayer: Father, thank you for the gift of time and the opportunities to serve others. Guide me to give cheerfully, without resentment or obligation. Grant me strength to serve willingly, spreading your light in the world. Bless me with courage to follow the example of selfless givers. Teach me to embrace each opportunity to make a difference, fulfilling your will.
Thanksgiving: Gracious and loving God, thank you for the abundance of blessings in my life. I am grateful for moments of rest, challenges that help me grow, and the reminder that true giving brings joy. Thank you for the chance to serve others and make a positive impact. May my actions always reflect Your love and grace. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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