Let my Offering be Complete

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 07, 2021

Readings: 1 Kings 17:10–16; Psalm 146:7–10; Hebrews 9:24–28; Mark 12:38–44

Jesus observes widow's mite
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The month of November is a reminder that we are made for heaven. We begin the month by praying to all the saints who have walked a life of witness in this world and are now crowned in glory. We also recall those souls who lived a Christian life and are no more with us. It is a stark reminder to each one of us that at the end we are not made for this world too long. We end our earthly journey either abruptly or a little slower way. The message is clear that we need to look for something lasting, eternal, unbeatable and holy. Our life only in God might help us to reach that aim of our lives. 

1. Offering to the last penny

As the liturgical readings are drawing us closer to the Season of Advent, we see Jesus speaking about how our actions must demonstrate the kind of persons we are. Jesus is very observant. Evangelist St Mark writes, "And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury" (Mark 12:41). As a keen observer, Jesus met the needs of the people. He also taught people through his keen observing eyes! A poor widow puts in the temple treasury just two copper coins. In fact, that is all what she had. Whereas many rich people put in large sums of money. Jesus makes a comment here.  “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.”(Mark 12: 43-44). It is not how much you contribute but how you do it. The woman gives all that was there for her sustenance but others put in all that was extra and superfluous. 

In the Scriptures, widowed women are dear to God. A special mention has been made both in the Old and New Testament. In the drought-hit city of Zarephath, prophet Elijah full of hunger encounters a widow with her son. Fascinatingly in spite of her hopeless situation and very little food left the poor widow not only listens to him, but also trusts his words and makes him her guest for a year. Facing sure starvation, she gives all that she has, her last bit of food—feeding the man of God before herself and her family.  Unfortunately, widows had no place in ancient societies. Even today, this reality exists in many of our cultures with the imposition of several prohibitions to participate in active life in society. That must be the reason why the prophet Isaiah writes so boldly, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).  Let me ask now, how do I look at the windows in our family circles and wider society?

2. God is the giver of every gift

Wealth, power and position make you who you are in society or institutions. The more you have, the more powerful you are. Might is right. In such a world widows, poor, marginalized and minorities have no place. The world decides your significance based not on your merit but material things like riches, power and honour. In fact, Jesus condemns such kind of behaviour of people. Jesus cautions people not to fall prey to those making use of you. Scribes who went around in long robes often duped the illiterate masses. Greed and corruption were rampant even in religious circles. So the religious gurus or leaders said lengthy prayers in public but devoured the poor widows' wealth. This is what annoyed Jesus very much. 

Greed, the enemy of our human nature is ready 24/7 to attack us. Therefore, we need to be on our guard and clear about our priorities. Everything that I have is God's free gift to me including my health, well-being, job, talents, interests, relations, friends, education, family, community, etc. In other words, all that all we have, and indeed, all that we are, we owe to the good giving of our Creator God. Blessings of God are manifested in various ways and that is why we are provided with what we need. Nothing, therefore, is truly our own, nothing is our possession, not even life itself, for we have received all from the providence and merciful hand of God (1 Cor 4:7).  It might be hard to be genuine and generous. But when we look at the lives of those saints who emptied completely for the sake of Christ and His mission, we must learn from their lives too. Because they too lived like us, human beings.

3. Man proposes, God disposes

God provides us what we need. He is our provider. And we are invited to trust in His provision of our most fundamental needs as the widow does. However, we are called to work on our reward. Time is a precious resource. If I make use of it for the best of my abilities then it can serve in many ways in bringing glory to God. We can make conscious and unconscious choices. That is why we need to be vigilant and attentive to the choices that we make. Good and bad are before us. But it depends on us what we choose and why we choose. We are all actors on this world stage. Each one has his or her role to play. Everyone is important. Just like the widow, we have to play our part. Therefore we must live in obedience of faith, a faith that shows itself in works of charity and self-giving (Galatians 5:6). That’s the lesson of the two widows in today’s liturgy. In fact, Jesus makes them role model's to his followers. 

Perhaps it is a challenge for us not to value a gift based on its monetary worth but on the love with which it is given. We could ask ourselves how do we give and in what measure? Are we ready to dispose of those things which others are most in need? What are our motivations when we give to others? As the Psalm encourages us saying that Lord will provide for us, He sustains the widow. Therefore, we may follow the widow's example of self-sacrificial love by doing what God asks, confident that our jars of flour will not grow empty, nor our jugs of oil run dry.

Questions for reflections:
1. Can I imitate that poor widow who contributed everything she had? Do I have the faith and courage to give my last cent? 
2. How do I make use of my talents, interests, possibilities and capacities in building God's reign here on earth?

3. How do I treat the other resources God provides as my own or His? 

Prayer:

All-generous God, we dedicate this day to you. You mighty God, grant us the grace to give without counting the cost and to love with all our being. Lord, help us to accept your admonishments and live wisely in light of the truth and goodness we know, but sometimes fail to execute.  And when we fail, help us to flee to your tender mercies, knowing that your love endures forever. 

Oh, Lod, keep us attentive to the needs of others, knowing that you can multiply whatever little we can put into the treasury. We pray that your Spirit will lift us up this day and that your face may shine upon us all day long, that we might do your will and lead a new life in Christ, reborn in the Spirit. Thus, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen. 

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

05 October 2021

PS: Friends, I have been noticing a steady increase in the number of people reading my blog. Recently, it crossed to one lakh. Every week, I see more than 2,000 visits on my blog. A word of thanks to all of you and to those who are forwarding it or helping others to read it. These reflections are the result of my own study of theology, experience and convictions.  I request your continued support to this internet pastoral apostolate.  May God be glorified in every way.