The Widow’s Mite – The poor widow’s contribution

 

We have often heard people talk about giving their widow’s mite to mean that they have contributed what they could for a cause. But that is not the same point made by Jesus in Luke 21:1-4. Listen to Jesus: “When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor window putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor window 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.” Why did she give from her pauperism? 

Life’s lesson has taught us that poor people are always willing to give to a cause or to others with no question asked. They give food and money to those in need more readily than others; they give without counting the cost. Point of interest: “…But she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.

We know the story of the hen and the pig. There are many versions of this story. Let me recall one of the versions published by Jacki Zehner on October 26, 2012 on her web page www.jackizehner.com: “A pig and a chicken were walking down the road. As they passed a church, they notice that a potluck charity breakfast was on the way. Caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution. “Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Lets offer them ham and eggs!” “Not so fast.” “For you, that’s just a contribution, but for me, it’s a total commitment.”” This story demonstrates the total commitment of the poor widow to the contribution observed by Christ. Her giving, like that of the pig was total, she gave everything that she had. She is a good example of a sacrificial giver. She gave because she trusted God. She gave because she knew that it is better to give than receive. She gave all she had to the one who gives to all abundantly. She did not know that Christ was watching, but she knew that not giving was not an option. She also knew that she could not pretend to have nothing to give. The God who sees her heart and knows that she had given it all will not allow her to go in want. He will open for her the floodgates of heaven, and pour down blessing upon her without measure. For her sake God will forbid the locust to destroy her crop; and the vine in her field will not be barren, cf. Malachi 3:11. 

So what type of a giver are you? Do you give as a widow or the rich people? Do you give like a hen or like a pig? Giving as described here dose not have to be monetary. If you don’t have in cash you can give in time or in talent, not giving is not an option. Even children can give to God. Let me conclude with this beautiful song written in 1874 by Christopher Ruby Blackall, MD, ”The fields are all white, and the reapers are few; we children are willing, but what can we do, to work for our Lord in His harvest? Our hands are so small, and our words are so weak; we cannot teach others; how then shall we seek to work for our Lord in His harvest? We’ll work by our prayers, by the offerings we bring, by small self-denials; the least little thing, may work for our Lord in His harvest. Until by and by, as the years pass, at length we too may be reapers, and go forth in strength, to work for our Lord in His harvest.”

Why Christ prayed at all times

The Gospels relate instances of Christ praying. I wonder why the second person of the blessed Trinity prayed so much. After all He was both divine and human. John 1:10-11 states, “He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him”. But Christ was sent into the world with a specific purpose, to reconcile the world to God. John 3:16 states clearly Christ’s mission in the world, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. In John 10:10, we read, “… I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly”.  His job was cut out for him and his order was tall indeed. Little wonder why Christ had to pray at all times for the strength to fulfill his mission.

Anyone who lives and works in a foreign country away from home understands the yearning that people have about their home country. They want to know what is happening with the people they left behind. They want to call home and speak to their love ones. Life lessons would conjecture that same situation could be applied to Christ. He travelled away from heaven, his home, leaving His Father behind. Remember, He is the only son of his Father. I would guess that Christ would want to call home and check on his Father from time to time. To tell him about his mission on earth and the difficulties he encountered in carrying out his father’s will. He would need to tell God about the many sick people he met wherever he went, to tell his Father how the devil was hard at work to undermine Him. He needed his father to advice him on how to counter and overthrow the devil. I think Christ had to discuss with his father about the problems he had with the ‘holy people’, the ‘holier than thou’ who made life difficult for him; the Scribes and the Pharisees who wanted to kill him; Herod who wanted to ridicule him and all those who downplayed his good deeds among the people. He was worried about those who should have known better but did not. He was concerned about the hatred, the hypocrisy, the lack of love, the unforgiving people he had to deal with day in day out. He was bothered about all the backstabbing, the gossip, the betrayal and the disloyalty that confronted him on daily basis. Or may be He just wanted to tell his father about his day, about his joys and sadness, about his new friends, those who were assisting him in his mission. He talked to his father about the crowds, the disciples, his apostles and their characters, personalities and temperaments. He talked to his father about the many women in his life and mission. He must have talked a length about his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sure he mentioned Mary Magdalene and how committed she was to his course. Oh Christ had to pray everyday and he prayed hard indeed.

Sometimes he prayed all night. Luke 6:12 states, “In those days he departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.’ Mark 6:46 records, “And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray”. Luke 4:42 simply says, “At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. It is my opinion that prayer made it possible for Christ to remain focused on the work of his father. Prayer helped him not be rash in his judgment and decision-making. Because he prayed he was able to see everyone as a son and daughter of God therefore, his brothers and sisters. Since everyone is created in the image and likeness of His Father he was able to see all as a member of his family.

May be if we pray as Christ did we will begin to experience life differently, we may even begin to see people differently. We may begin to love as God loves. We may begin to forgive people and make room in our hearts for them, as we want God to forgive and make room in His heart for us.

To pray in this way means we have to fall in love with Ms. Silence, or Mr. Silence, if you please. We will have to occasionally turn off the TV, radio, IPod, our smartphones and other sources of distractions that struggle for our attention at all times. We may have to talk less in Church with others and talk more with God. Remember this, a person who talks too much and at all times is a nuisance, nay, a disaster unto self and others.  Our mountain and secret place can be anywhere we want it to be. Since our mountain and our secret place is our heart, then, we can retire there whenever we want. We can be on our mountain while in our car, bus or train going to work, at our desk at work, in the classroom or when we are taking a walk. Since prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God, this may be our best workout day and night. Let us always remember ‘to take it to the Lord in prayer’ and nothing will be too much for us to handle since we have God on our side at all times. Recall the words of the Angel to our Blessed Mother in Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible for God”. May 2015 be a year of prayer for one and all!