Jesus said, “I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others.” (Lk 21:3)

Jesus said, “I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others.” (Lk 21:3)

Today’s Passage: Lk 21:1-4  

Meditation: It is quite an interesting picture of Jesus we get from today’s meditation verse. He is sitting near the Jerusalem temple donation box and simply watching the people who offer their gifts to the temple. Is it just to see the people who offer more than anyone else and benefit from them? For offerings of the people in these days draw a lot of attention. How much each one has contributed to is well counted today. There are also people who go after those who give more donations and make secure that all their programs are well sponsored.

However, from the response of Jesus, we understand that his purpose is not of that sort anyway. He is not praising here the rich people who contributed more out of their prosperity, but the poor widow who offered only two small copper coins. Therefore, it doesn’t give us any indication as to his appreciation for the huge gifts of the rich, rather it give the impression that he was reading their minds and hearts. There we get a lot of encouragement and solace to our life

.

The Psalter prays to Lord, “My wanderings you have noted; are my tears not stored in your vial, recorded in your book? (Ps 56:9) Surely, this widow also should have the prayed the same; for she is offering these two small coins not from her abundance but from her utter poverty. Jesus saw her purity of heart beyond her offering. We hear in the beatitudes, “Blessed are the pure in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:3)

We also do some offerings in our daily lives as well. They may be offerings of our time, talents, conveniences, and money etc considering all our limitations. If they are from the depth of our hearts, then, be rest assured that they are well counted before the Lord; they are written in the book of life.

   

 Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Help us today to examine ourselves and lead a genuine Christian life. Sometimes, we also are like these Pharisees who lived a life of show before others. It is not that which we offer matters but the attitude. Give us the grace to trust in you and surrender ourselves before you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen! 

                

Greetings: God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Monday…