It is said that in a city, near a Shrine of Our Blessed Mother, there was a very famous flower shop known for the variety of flowers it offered. People who visited the Shrine would often stop by this shop to buy flowers, especially because it was said to sell the flowers that Our Lady liked. The woman who ran the stall was a devout Christian and always tried to share her faith with those who came to buy flowers. She would make an effort to say something kind and uplifting, tailored to what she could sense or observe about the person—inspiring optimism in some, joy in others, and so on.
One day, a woman came to buy flowers for the Virgin. She asked for the most beautiful floral arrangement available and also requested that her name be displayed in large letters at the front of the arrangement. As was her custom, the florist began to tell her that her family was very devoted to Our Blessed Mother and that for generations—from her great-grandmothers to her ancestors—they had always brought flowers to the Virgin. But then she added, “We have a tradition in our family.” “What is it?” the woman asked, intrigued. “We always bring them without a name.” “And why is that?” the woman asked, not understanding the point of bringing flowers anonymously. To which the florist replied: “Because flowers with names wither sooner.”
More than once, Jesus taught that we must be mindful not only of whether our actions benefit others but also whether they benefit ourselves—that is, whether our actions are done with pure intention. Alms given with a name, prayers offered with a name, fasts undertaken with a name, acts of charity performed with a name, works of mercy done with a name—these wither quickly; they do not endure for eternity.
It is important to understand that the issue is not whether we receive recognition for what we do, but whether we seek that recognition—whether we fix our desires and affections on it. Focusing on such things makes us lose sight of what truly matters: the love of God, which must be the foundation of all our actions. In the end, an act only has value if it is done with charity (that is, supernatural love for God). If it is not done in and for charity, it holds no worth, no matter how grand it may seem.
The most exquisite floral arrangement in the world withers quickly if charity is not behind it, because it has no eternal value. But a simple, humble flower does not wither because it has eternal value if it is offered to the Virgin out of love for God.
