Scripture:
Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20
Luke 21:1-4
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ attention is drawn to a poor widow putting in two small coins into the temple treasury. He points her out to His disciples: "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
Even though this reading offers a wonderful opportunity for a pastor like myself to talk about tithing, what the widow does and what Jesus says about it lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to give and what it means to be a disciple. We are called, not only to give from what we have, whether that is a lot or a little, we are called to give of ourselves.
Giving of ourselves is indeed giving from our poverty! We are limited imperfect beings. We make mistakes and sometimes even sin. But in spite of limitations, God calls us to do what we can in order to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and help build up the kingdom.
When we give of ourselves, we will not be diminished. We will not lose anything of ourselves. Instead, we will find real peace and real joy! We will receive the peace that comes from knowing we are doing what God wants us to do.
The poor widow trusted in God, and gave from what she had. We, too, can trust in the God who loves us so much, and give of ourselves to others, so that the Good News of Jesus Christ continues to be proclaimed to a world that still needs to hear it!
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is on staff at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.