Word to the Wise
Monday, November 21, 2022 - 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 walthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widown 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]
NOVEMBER 21 THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Scripture scholars tell us that the "treasury" in this scene consisted of a large trumpet-shaped metal container. When a contribution was put in, it made a noise! Big amounts made big noises (no paper money back then) - a big "clang!" Smaller amounts made smaller noises - "clink!". The "clang" of the wealthy in this scene is contrasted with the "clink" of the widow's two small coins! Jesus comments on the significance of her donation in comparison to that of the wealthy. This event occurs during Jesus' last days in Jerusalem and after his startling and symbolic "cleansing" of the temple.
Three interpretations offer themselves! Jesus may be praising the woman's sacrificial giving of her meager means. He may also be commenting on the temple "system" that demanded such a sacrifice from that poor widow. And last, but not least, he may be commenting on what was to happen soon to him - the ultimate sacrificial gift of his life. None of these is exclusive of the others. The scene is "multi-valent!" But we are still left with what the scene may be saying to US!
Faith and money have a relationship that can be fraught with tension! The comment is sometimes heard, after one of the numerous "second collections," "All they care about is money!" That impression may be unfair, but we are still left with the needs that the money is meant to meet and the challenge to our generosity. The temple, like all big church buildings, and the ritual apparatus, had to be maintained! Agencies that serve the needy on our behalf need money to provide for the needy. There is an endless parade of solicitations in the mail from church groups with agonizing pictures of those whom they serve. Most of us fall between the wealthy and the poor widow, but we need to ask if we do anything at all? Perhaps our service may be "in kind" and not financial. Perhaps we can only pray. But we'll never know unless we ask ourselves and act accordingly. It is not the noise our contribution makes that matters. AMEN