Ordinary Time - Week 32b
The Poor two Widows
(From Conversation with God, Fernandez Carvajal)The readings for this Sunday's Mass sing the praises of two holy women. In the First Reading the Lord sends Elijah to Zarephath in Sidon to be cared for by a widow. Even though the region was suffering from a great famine, the widow gave food to the Prophet She trusted in the promise of Elijah: The jar of meal shall not be spent, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day that the Lord sends ruin upon the earth. This is, in fact, what happened. Jesus would later recall this episode in his preaching.
In today's Gospel we find Jesus seated in the Temple watching the people put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. From a purely human point of view the widow's gift was of minute importance. Yet as far as Jesus was concerned this gift had an enormous significance. As the poor widow was leaving the Temple, Jesus pointed her out to his disciples: Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living. The Lord praises acts of generosity for the sake of divine cult as well as all gifts made with a pure heart. Jesus values the disposition of the giver more than the gift received. He looks not only on the amount given, but into the very heart of the donor.
Almsgiving is a work of mercy that is most pleasing to the Lord. Jesus will reward our generosity far more than we can imagine. The holy Cur'e d'Ars would often say: A house of charity will never be poor. The habitual practice of giving alms summarizes a good many of the virtues and draws down divine favour. Holy Scripture frequently encourages this expression of generosity as in the Book of Tobias: Do not turn your face away from any poor man, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. For charity delivers from death and keeps you from entering the darkness; for all who practice it, charity is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High. Should anyone ignore this teaching they will most certainly experience the fate of that selfish rich man who was sent to Hell for his cold indifference to Lazarus.
As the poor widow returned to her home she must have been filled with a great joy. What a surprise must have lain in store for her at the end of her life! She would finally see the look of love which Jesus had cast upon her that ordinary morning in the Temple. God watches all of our actions with interest and affection.