Gratitude is the beginning of generosity
By Fr. Alfred Cruz
University Chaplaincy Secretary
This article was originally a homily delivered by Fr. Cruz at the Junior College Baccalaureate Mass, July 23, 2026.
My dear graduates, standard wisdom tells us that when a great chapter ends, we stop to say thank you. Today, as we celebrate this Mass of Thanksgiving for the graduation of this batch of Junior College students, our hearts are naturally filled with joy and gratitude. In today’s Gospel, we hear Mary proclaim her famous canticle, the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The Magnificat is Mary’s great song of praise for everything God has done in her life. Whenever we look at God’s presence in our lives, there is always a reason to give thanks. Today, we thank God for your journey, your learnings, your achievements, and the people who have been your sources of support. Every achievement is a gift, and a gift is the proper object of our gratitude. Graduation marks an important end, but in the eyes of faith, every end in God’s plan is also a new beginning.
We all know how to say “thank you.” But in our daily lives, we can easily take this simple act for granted. Often, we view thanksgiving as a form of closure. We receive a gift, say “thank you,” and close the interaction. The phrase “thank you” can sometimes sound like a polite farewell—a goodbye until next time. If gratitude is only a polite closing remark, we miss its true depth.
Look at what happens in today’s Gospel. What is the context of Mary’s canticle? Out of deep gratitude for what God had done for her, she went out of her way to serve Elizabeth, her cousin. This gives us a profound lesson today: True gratitude is not a closure; it is a beginning.
There are three things we can learn about gratitude. First, gratitude opens our hearts: it turns our attention outward toward others. Second, gratitude generates generosity: when you truly recognize a gift, your natural response is to pass that gift forward. And finally, gratitude inspires joyful service: it transforms our achievements into opportunities to serve.
Dear graduates, this achievement is a gift—not just for you to keep, but for you to share. This graduation is not merely the final page of your Junior College chapter. It is an invitation to do something more for others: for God, by placing your talents in His hands; for your family, by honoring the sacrifices they made to bring you to this day; and for your teachers, mentors, and friends, by living out the values they instilled in you.
Let us ask the Lord to foster in each of us a truly grateful heart—a heart that does not simply say “thank you,” but a heart that loves more, gives more, and serves joyfully.
Congratulations to all of you, and may God bless you on this exciting new journey!