Psalm: Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani
Giving From the Heart
In the gospel reading of today, Jesus sets the poverty-stricken widow as an example of a generous giver. He sees beyond the physical appearance and beyond human calculations as he noted the generosity of the poor widow. She gave all that she had to live on. Others gave out of their super abundance. What she did could only be motivated by deep faith, trust, total reliance and dependence on God. According to Mother Teresa of Kolkata, it is when we empty ourselves that God can fill us with an abundance of his blessings. It shows also that the woman in the gospel story is detached from earthly possessions. The more detached we are to worldly possessions, the lighter we are to climb the mountain of the Lord.
Jesus teaches us with this parable that true love doesn't calculate - it spends lavishly! Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest of coins in contrast with the rich who gave greater sums. But how can someone in poverty give more than someone who has ample means? Jesus' answer is very simple - love is more precious than gold or wealth! The heart matters a lot in giving.
Jesus taught that real giving must come from the heart. A gift that is given with a grudge or for display loses its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is precious. The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter as much as the cost to the giver. The poor widow could have kept one of her coins, but instead she recklessly gave away all she had! Jesus praised someone who gave barely a penny how insignificant a sum - because it was everything she had, her whole living.
Nothing given in love is worthless. What we have to offer may look very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord's disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Do you give out of love and gratitude for what God has already given to you?
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds and you give without measure. All that I have comes from you. May I give freely and generously in gratitude for all that you have given to me. Take my life and all that I possess - my gifts, talents, time and resources - and use them as you see fit for your glory. Amen
Be blessed.
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