Luke 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."
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that you have
blessed me with life and with a vibrant faith. Thank you. I dedicate this time
and prayer to you. I love you, and I offer you all that I am and all that I
have with the desire of becoming a joyful gift to you.
Petition: Lord,
teach me to share joyfully all that I have received!
1. Some
Wealthy People: Jesus sat before the temple treasury.
What did Jesus see as he looked on? He saw more than we do. He saw the heart.
Wealth tends to captivate us with desire and enslave us with concerns and
worries. Jesus saw many hearts squeeze out just a couple drops of their
abundant security, a gesture that was neither painful nor difficult. The act of
fulfilling, or thinking they were fulfilling a duty to God, caused them to glow
with self-satisfaction. Some even were bloated with pride for having given so
much, and yet their act was empty of real self-giving. They gave with routine
indifference. Their giving lacked love. What does Jesus see in my daily or
weekly gifts? Do I generously give God my all when I see him on the altar? Do I
generously give him my all when I am on my knees in prayer? Do I give him my
all on my feet at work?
2. A Poor
Widow: Only Jesus could have seen that this
widow was now reduced to total dependence on family or friends. She gave more
because she gave herself with a heart full of surrender. Is there anything we
can give God that he has not already given us? We can give God our trustful
surrender. The poor widow gave to God with trust since she knew that he would
continue to care for her. She had no other real desire but to be with him and
be enriched by him. Her giving was serene and resigned, not despairing, but
rather full of hope. She had the hope of one who knows deep down how much God
loves her. How much do I trust and depend on him, particularly when other
securities begin to disappear?
3. Offering
My Whole Life: Jesus shows the great importance of how
we give—not only of what we give. What we have—our possessions and those, which
in some way we have made our own—are not for us. We have them so that we might
give them, and we should give them back to God, for they are his. We give them
as an expression of our love for God. I give my life when I work diligently,
practice charity, pray, or sacrifice for love of Christ. All these acts of
love, if not made explicit before, are made into an intentional gift to Jesus,
when I mentally place them upon the paten along with the hosts to be
consecrated during the Offertory at Mass. Do I give him my whole life?
Conversation
with Christ
Lord Jesus, awaken me to all you are for me, and let me realize all that
you have given me. May I never cease to thank you through my own self-giving.
You are my living and constant invitation to be more generous, to give more
often and with more love. Open my heart, Lord, to your work!
Resolution: In prayer, I will
make a list of all that I can do for Jesus this week and offer this to him.
Then, on Sunday during the Offertory, I will mentally place before him on the
paten all the sacrifices I have made during the week—my real gift to him, given
with faith and love.