The Power of Magnificence

Choosing the Good Despite Challenges 

Have you ever hesitated to do something because of fear—a fear of failure, a sense of self-doubt, fear of letting go of money just in case you need it? Fortitude, or courage, is the virtue that enables us to take the next steps toward the good despite difficulties or fear.  

Parable of the Talents

Magnificence is a virtue related to fortitude that enables one to undertake great things, using money, time, and talent to their full potential. While this virtue traditionally applies to the expenditure of large sums of money for a worthy cause, it can certainly include the expenditure of time and talent. Jesus’ parable about the talents (Mt 25:14-30 and Lk 9:11-27) illustrates how we are all called to recognize our gifts and to strive diligently to nurture and develop them.   

Faithfulness in Small Matters 

How can we live this virtue daily? How can we teach the young to recognize and strive to develop their gifts? As Jesus taught, it is faithfulness in small matters: attention to detail in our responsibilities, demonstrating that we are trustworthy and diligent in completing a task from start to finish. It is overcoming self-doubt and the fear of doing something that takes us out of our comfort zone. It is saying “yes” to a task when you feel like saying “no.”  

The Joy of Giving Freely 

What is amazing about living this virtue is that over time, the small tasks or responsibilities increase, and there is an interior joy, the fruit of giving freely of oneself. Isn’t this what Jesus sees in the poor widow who gave all she had?  

Magnificence in Action: Giving Without Fear 

The virtue of magnificence enables one to give without fear, from the widow’s mite to anonymously giving millions of dollars for a project. It all begins in small ways, trusting that God will do great things with our willingness to say “yes.”