Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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.”

Sometimes we can convince ourselves that we have nothing to offer God or others. We are too busy, too poor, too unworthy, or too afraid. But Jesus reminds us that we are not called to give out of our surplus, but from our poverty. It is our willingness to make time for God and others, to give of ourselves in spite of our hardships, to take a leap of faith, and to trust in God’s Providence that makes us into true Disciples of Christ. Our livelihood should be founded upon knowing, loving, and serving God and His children to the best of our ability. We might fail more than we succeed, but if Jesus has taught us anything it is that what the world might see as folly can become a triumph if we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for God and others out of love.

Are we giving out of our surplus or our poverty? What can we give to God and others that we aren’t already giving? Are we willing to give our whole livelihood?

O Lord, we want to give you more of ourselves.

Amen.