The Widows Mite
In today’s
Gospel, Jesus is courageously speaking out against the hypocrisy of the
religious leaders of his time. He is encouraging all his followers to engage in
a reality check. The hypocrisy of the scribes is in total contrast to the
humility and generosity of the widow in the second part of the Gospel. She
gives not of what she has to spare, but everything she has. She is freer than
the others. We can be quick to make judgements about another person’s
commitment based on what we see happening on the outside. Those leaders who
acquire the best seats and show up in all the frills may not actually be all
they appear to be. Jesus is urging us to look into the person’s heart for what
is there is far more important than all the trappings on the outside.
The widow
gives everything and this does not have to be about money. We might recall
those today who give us their time, their support, who pray from the heart and
give of themselves expecting nothing in return. We might thank them, pray for
them. We can also look into our own hearts today and challenge our motivations
for what we do. Is Can we give more of ourselves to God or to someone we love?
A listening ear, ‘wasting time’ with people, looking at how we spend our money.
Jesus call us to search our hearts and the hearts of others in today’s gospel.
The widow models Jesus’ way of discipleship in contrast to the those in
positions of leadership and power.
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