Dear Parishioners,
Jesus taught his disciples an unexpected lesson about giving with love in this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Mk 12:41-44). Love is selfless and sacrificial. Jesus drove this point home to his disciples while sitting in the temple and observing people making their offering. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest of coins in contrast with the rich who gave greater sums. How can someone in poverty give more than someone who has wealth? Jesus’ answer is very simple: love is more precious than gold! Jesus taught that real giving must come from the heart. A gift that is given for display or show loses its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is priceless. 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 generously gave away all she had. Jesus praised her because it was everything she had, her whole living.
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 imagination. Do you know the joy and freedom of giving generously to God and to neighbor with gratitude and love? In what ways can I give my entire self to God?
God Bless,
Deacon Howard
