Word to the Wise
Monday, November 24, 2014 - Monday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rev 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 her whole livelihood." [Luke]
NOVEMBER 24, ST. IGNATIUS DELGADO, ST. VINCENT LIEM, ST. DOMINIC KAM ET. AL. -DOMINICAN MARTYRS IN VIETNAM
[Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5 and Luke 21:1-4. Scriptures may vary at Dominican locations.]
"
Dominicans were not the only ones in this group of martyrs that are celebrated today, but our Order calls special attention to them. The three listed above are a bishop, priest and layperson. They represent everyone in the group for us. It is hard to imagine the times and circumstances in which they lived and ministered at the risk of their lives. However, it seems to me that the widow in the gospel for today can teach us something about them. Jesus notes that she gave "from her poverty...her whole livelihood."
Martyrdom represents a kind of total self-giving when it is done for the sake of love of God and neighbor. Compared to this, the rest of us seem like we are giving from our surplus. After all, we are still alive! The whole "cult of saints" in our church arose out of the veneration of the early martyrs buried in the catacombs in Rome and elsewhere. Their kind of self-giving remains something awesome and beyond our ability. Nevertheless, martyrdom is still taking place even in our own times. Ultimate generosity should attract our gratitude even if we cannot imitate them. At least we can try to be more generous and self-giving. AMEN