Sunday, November 10, 2024

When the Gospels were written, widows were one of the most vulnerable and impoverished groups: they had no rights, they had no man to protect them, and they were often fleeced by those with more power.  In both our first reading and the Gospel, a widow who had practically nothing gave it all in the name of God: in the first reading the widow fed the prophet Elijah with her last food and in the Gospel the widow put her two small coins in the temple collection box.  Jesus praises the widow: she gave more than the rich people donating lots of money, because she was giving all that she had, not from a
surplus.
 
A message to us is that we have been blessed by God with time, talent, and treasure and it is expected that we will share, and not just from what is left over.
 
Time: we have 24 hours in a day.  Some of that goes to necessary tasks (sleeping, eating, work, family and home maintenance, etc.).  The question is what do I do with my spare time?  How much do I spend on me productively, e.g., exercising or unwinding?  How much do I spend helping others? How much do I waste, for example, in front of the television?
 
Talent: do I use my gifts to help others?  For example, joining the choir if I have a good voice.  Being a hospitality minister if I enjoy welcoming people.  Being a lector.  If I am a good host or can cook, joining the Community Life Committee.  And so on.
 
Treasure: how much of my resources do I spend on me and my family?  How much do I give to worthwhile causes?
 
The bottom line is we have been blessed with gifts and God expects us to share, as did the widows in our readings this weekend.  I invite us to reflect on how we are doing.  God bless.
 
Church sign: If you don’t know what to do with yourself, do something for someone else.