Word to the Wise
Monday, November 27, 2006 - 34th Monday in Ordinary Time
[Revelation 14:1-3, 4B-5 and Luke 21:1-4]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 who whole livelihood.
Yes, your memory is correct. This incident appeared recently in the church's scripture selection - two Sundays ago, to be precise, and in the Markan version. Yet, it offers further food for thought. One may look at the widow and ponder Jesus' comments and come to different conclusions. One conclusion might be simply to praise the woman for her sacrificial generosity. Another conclusion might condemn a social/religious system that required someone from the poorest of the poor, widows, to make such a contribution. Still another might see her action symbolically as prefiguring Jesus' own self-sacrifice. In fact, one might adopt all three conclusions and still have more to think about. Whichever approach one takes to this poignant event, Jesus' own comment strikes powerfully: "this poor widow put in more than all the rest." Therefore she lives in eternal memory for her example. Can any of us do the same? AMEN
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