Generosity in its best!
Fr. Robert Leus, CJM
Being generous is innate in us – it is truly implanted by God since he created everything! What we need, our life and even our salvation were given by God because he is generous and he cannot prevent himself from giving!
“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings!”
These are the very words of Jesus when he saw the poor widow come and drop in two coins. Maybe some of us are wondering why Jesus appreciate more what the widow gave rather than what the many rich people put in. But reading the entire pericope, this question was answered and this answer could very well motto in life as we try our best to be faithful followers of Christ – “give from our poverty, and put in everything we have, even our very living” – our very own life!
Jesus recognizes the many things that the poor widow gave up:
- Her capacity to live [because it is her last money]
- Her needs, wants and desires in life
- Her self-love and self-worth
And what she did entails a lot of sacrifices on her part.
We know the status of the many widows during that time: no one would support them; no one would stand for them; and no one would be with them for their entire life. The Jewish laws and customs then did not provide safety nets for them. The culture was simply silent and indifferent on the plight of widows.
They could hope only for the grace and love of God!
This is what Jesus wants to tell us – to hope for the grace and love of God for us. Jesus knows what we need. Jesus knows what we are going through. Jesus knows everything about us. So, it is possible to give all to Jesus even our very own life because He will support, stand and be with us forever.
From material world’s point of view, it is easy to give if we have plenty. It is easy to give if we are already enjoying life’s abundance. BUT if we have only a few or little – it takes a lot of courage and sacrifices on our part to give and share!
Let us imitate what the poor widow did – she offered her entire life to Jesus because she knew that only Jesus can be with her forever!
Almighty Father, thank you for all the love and sacrifices you are doing for us. Thank you for all your understanding. Lord, give us the capacity to share and be generous enough to offer our lives to you so that as you affirmed and approved of the poor widow you will also recognize our capacity to be in your kingdom. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Robert Leus, CJM
Being generous is innate in us – it is truly implanted by God since he created everything! What we need, our life and even our salvation were given by God because he is generous and he cannot prevent himself from giving!
“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings!”
These are the very words of Jesus when he saw the poor widow come and drop in two coins. Maybe some of us are wondering why Jesus appreciate more what the widow gave rather than what the many rich people put in. But reading the entire pericope, this question was answered and this answer could very well motto in life as we try our best to be faithful followers of Christ – “give from our poverty, and put in everything we have, even our very living” – our very own life!
Jesus recognizes the many things that the poor widow gave up:
- Her capacity to live [because it is her last money]
- Her needs, wants and desires in life
- Her self-love and self-worth
And what she did entails a lot of sacrifices on her part.
We know the status of the many widows during that time: no one would support them; no one would stand for them; and no one would be with them for their entire life. The Jewish laws and customs then did not provide safety nets for them. The culture was simply silent and indifferent on the plight of widows.
They could hope only for the grace and love of God!
This is what Jesus wants to tell us – to hope for the grace and love of God for us. Jesus knows what we need. Jesus knows what we are going through. Jesus knows everything about us. So, it is possible to give all to Jesus even our very own life because He will support, stand and be with us forever.
From material world’s point of view, it is easy to give if we have plenty. It is easy to give if we are already enjoying life’s abundance. BUT if we have only a few or little – it takes a lot of courage and sacrifices on our part to give and share!
Let us imitate what the poor widow did – she offered her entire life to Jesus because she knew that only Jesus can be with her forever!
Almighty Father, thank you for all the love and sacrifices you are doing for us. Thank you for all your understanding. Lord, give us the capacity to share and be generous enough to offer our lives to you so that as you affirmed and approved of the poor widow you will also recognize our capacity to be in your kingdom. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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