"Kapag Lumago, Hindi na Hihinto"

by Fr. Jason Laguerta

Today, as we celebrate Alex Eala’s win at the Mubadala DC Open, I am reminded of her motto printed on her visor at Wimbledon: “Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto” (Once it grows, it becomes unstoppable). This is the same principle found in today’s readings. The generosity, mercy, love, and providence of God, once they begin to work in our lives, can never be stopped – He is the God of abundance.

In the First Reading, prophet Isaiah reminds all of us and tells those who are thirsty, or hungry or have no money to come to the Lord. In other words, the answer to all our needs is the hand of God. Our Responsorial Psalm also reminds us of the same – “The hand of the Lord feeds us; He answers all our needs.” In other words, we should not look at our problem and merely say that you have nothing, I don't have enough. What we have to do instead is what Jesus asked His disciples to do – “Bring them to me.. If all you have are five loaves and two fish, bring them to me,” and He will be the one to multiply them. St. Paul strengthens this message in the Second Reading by assuring us that nothing, not famine, affliction, sickness, hardship, or even death, can separate us from the love, grace, mercy, and providence of God.

However, too often in our lives, we struggle to trust God. We want the 5,000 right away and refuse to start with five loaves and two fish because they seem too small and never enough. In our human experience, we often say: “If only I had a car, a laptop, the right gadget, or more resources, then I could move forward and succeed.”

We often think that life has to be complete before we can move forward, prosper, grow, and succeed, but that is not how God works. He teaches us to begin with what we have, however little it may seem, and trust Him to do the rest. For Jesus did not have 5000 bread; He only had five, but as the slogan goes, kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto. That is how God works in us. You just have to give God the five loaves and two fish that you have and He will make it sure that you are provided for.

We have to start with what we have – with ourselves, and entrust our meager resources to the Lord. God begins not with our abundance but with our poverty and inadequacy. Often, all we have are five loaves and two fish, but no matter how small they seem, they can multiply in the hands of God. His generosity can never be outdone.

So do not be afraid if your life feels incomplete or imperfect. Do not get bothered if today you are burdened with worries, no money, no job, no direction, or you feel you have nothing at all, the Lord tells you: “No, you do have something.” We begin small; we begin with meager resources, and from there, God can multiply exponentially the blessings and gifts He will provide.

Do not every think that life is about perfection all at once. We must remember that people do not succeed because they have everything, because they have a car, a house, or money in the bank – we do not all begin with those things. And the more crucial part is to know where to begin and when to start because once we begin, nothing can stop us.

Thus, we must start with our own five loaves and two fish and place them in God’s hands, because God will give us the inspiration and the strength that we need to make sure that we reach the finish line of what e have started. God assures us that nothing, not poverty, sickness, affliction, nor anything else, can separate us from His love, mercy, and compassion. He will always help us; the Lord will always provide for us, and you have believe that!

Let us always remember that God is more than enough and He will always provide. We start with nothing or maybe a little, but the Lord and in His hands, everything can prosper. Let us entrust our inadequacies to the Lord. Let the Lord multiply whatever meager provisions we have because that is how generous our God is.