Lk 21:1-4
[or Zec 2:14-17 • Lk 1 • Mt 12:46-50]
1When [Jesus] looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Reflection:
This poor widow put in more than all the rest. I believe that as a priest I have offered my life for the Gospel. I do things for people—preach, minister to them, sit down with them. This may all be true.
But sometimes, when I look back at my life, now that I am almost 25 years in the ministry, I have found the opposite truer. People minister to me. They sit down for me. They preach to me. They help me live a very comfortable and wonderful life. They talk to me about their God and help me live my life. What I give may just be a cent’s worth. What they offer me is their faith, their life, and their love.
I have been blessed much. And I need to give much. Money and material things are just excuses for the real giving. The real gifts are those that come from the heart: time, care, compassion, faith, trust. The poor widow gives God not two small coins but her all, her life. God expects nothing less. Real giving, they say, starts when it no longer hurts because giving now comes naturally from us.
Plan and work out a community service with your kids.