Word to the Wise
Monday, November 23, 2020 - Monday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rev 14:1-3, 4b-5 and 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." [Luke]
This episode comes near the end of Jesus' life and ministry. He is in Jerusalem and teaching in the temple area. His disciples would ordinarily have been sitting at his feet, so he would be looking down toward them when he may have seen the widow or perhaps "heard" her and looks up. The receptacles for donations were large trumpet shaped containers made of metal. Those who put in large amounts made a considerable noise - "KLANK, KLANK.." The poor widow put in two small coins - "klink, klink!"
This brief incident is still rich with possible understanding. Jesus could, indeed, have praised the widow who gave her very livelihood to the temple, in contrast to those who simply gave from their surplus.. He may have indirectly criticized the whole "temple system" that would have demanded such a sacrifice from a poor widow. [cf. Luke 20:47}. And lastly, he may have been hinting at his own fate in which he would give his very life, demanded by the same scribes, Pharisees and Elders who ran the temple.
What is the "measure" of our generosity? AMEN