Giving is a main stay in our faith. We know this because the greatest gift ever given comes from Jesus, the Son of God, who died on a cross for our sins so we could be forgiven and was resurrected from the dead so we could have everlasting life. No sacrifice in the past or future will ever surpass the meaning of what it is to give to one another as Jesus did for us.
Our first reading from 1 Kings 17:10-16 and St. Marks Gospel (Chapter 12:38-44) today about widows, however, illustrate a prime example of the type of giving Jesus taught about and suffered for us on our behalf. It indicates the depth of faith they had in God to trust what giving entails, without expecting any return; even from the Hebrew scripture verses.
Notice how the widow from Zarephath obeys Elijah’s request to bring him a cupful of water to drink even though she is going to fetch what she needs to eat her last meal on earth with her son. Aside from the custom of hospitality that demanded that strangers and foreigners be cared for in their plight first, her focus is on service in everything she is doing. It is even in her explanation of what is happening in her life. There is no expectation at this juncture to expect a kindness in return. That aspect does not become a possibility until Elijah clarifies what is going to happen. And, even then, she leaves and does as Elijah said as someone in service would do without arguing the reasonableness of his request.
Imagine the depth of love one must have for God and others to take care of someone’s needs first before you prepare a last meal for yourself and a loved one facing starvation at the end of their lives due to a three-year famine.
We do not know the life story about the widow in the Gospel. All we know is that she put into the treasury collection box two small coins worth a few cents. Jesus then comments: “Amen, I say to you, this ‘poor’ widow put in more than all the other contributors” because “she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Her donation was an act of putting complete faith in God to care for her.
We believe this based on what Jesus said earlier about the Scribes taking away the widow’s houses. In addition, historians have discerned from evidence of those times that elderly widows were believed to be a drain on society so those of wealth tried to destroy them.
These two widows are a reminder to us that as disciples of Jesus we must place our confidence in God rather than in our material possessions. A Christian follower of Jesus is one who practices humility and is at the service of others as he or she trusts that God will take care of them as they do of others.
Let us take this week to look deep into our heart and soul for areas in which we can take courage to strength our resolve to be of service to those in need. Let us prioritize our actions when it comes to trusting in God and His ways so we can mirror more closely how to reach out as Jesus did when He lived on earth. Remember, we have the Holy Spirit with us to constantly remind us that all things are possible with God’s help, if only we promise to Trust! That’s why giving as Jesus does is a mainstay of our faith.
Reading 1: First Kings 17: 10-16
Reading 2: Hebrews 9: 24-28
Gospel: Mark 12: 38-44
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