"As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins, and he said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:1-4).
Today’s reading tells of Jesus affirming the offering of a poor widow, who gave from her whole livelihood, not just what was surplus wealth. The teaching here is about self-sacrifice, renunciation, faith and commitment. How much it is against what our culture—our logic even—tells us to do!
What happens when we give our all? Give without counting the cost? Do we dare? How can we be generous today? May we be among those of pure heart who desire not worthless things. Today’s psalm invites us to enter into the images of God’s loving care—guiding, accompanying, blessing us.
What happens when we give our all? Give without counting the cost? Do we dare? How can we be generous today? May we be among those of pure heart who desire not worthless things. Today’s psalm invites us to enter into the images of God’s loving care—guiding, accompanying, blessing us.
Know that the experience of pain is something so noble and precious that the Divine Word, who enjoyed the abundant riches of Paradise, yet, because He was not clothed with this ornament of sorrow, came down from Heaven to seek it upon the earth.
-- St Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi