Gospel LK 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “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.”
Reflection:
“…..those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Clearly the lesson Jesus is conveying here is that in God’s eyes, the value of a gift is determined by the degree of sacrifice made by the giver.
Therefore, having given from her poverty….“this poor widow put in more than all the rest.”
If I am able to be introspective, there is great potential in this simple gospel story that could help me learn about myself.
I try to be generous with my money. But do I, like the poor widow, give from my financial poverty?
Honestly? No, I don’t.
I am not rich, but the truth is I have everything I need.
So, if I give $10 to a person sitting on the corner with a can, where is the sacrifice on my part?
I have done a good thing and it helps the person but there is no sacrifice on my part.
What is my most precious possession? My time, of course.
My days are filled, constantly running from one appointment or chore to another.
Can I alter my schedule?
Would it be a sacrificial gift to give up something I want to do so I can spend some of my precious time serving at a shelter, a food pantry, or a home for single moms?
This would call me to re-prioritize how I “spend” my time. Yes, for me, that would truly be a sacrifice.
Perhaps if out of love of my fellow man, I give “the gift” of my time,
our loving Lord Jesus would look at me and say,
“I tell you truly…he has …put in more.”
“The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. When you give your time, you are giving up a part of your life that you will never get back.” Unknown