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." (Luke 21:1-4)
Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that you have blessed me with life and
with a vibrant faith. Thank you. I dedicate this time and prayer to you. I love
you, and I offer you all that I am and all that I have with the desire of
becoming a joyful gift to you.
Petition: Lord, teach me to share joyfully all that I have received!
1. Some Wealthy People: Jesus
sat before the temple treasury. What did Jesus see as he looked on? He saw more
than we do. He saw the heart. Wealth tends to captivate us with desire and
enslave us with concerns and worries. Jesus saw many hearts squeeze out just a
couple drops of their abundant security, a gesture that was neither painful nor
difficult. The act of fulfilling, or thinking they were fulfilling a duty to
God, caused them to glow with self-satisfaction. Some even were bloated with
pride for having given so much, and yet their act was empty of real self-giving.
They gave with routine indifference. Their giving lacked love. What does Jesus
see in my daily or weekly gifts? Do I generously give God my all when I see him
on the altar? Do I generously give him my all when I am on my knees in prayer?
Do I give him my all on my feet at work?
2. A Poor Widow: Only
Jesus could have seen that this widow was now reduced to total dependence on
family or friends. She gave more because she gave herself with a heart full of
surrender. Is there anything we can give God that he has not already given us?
We can give God our trustful surrender. The poor widow gave to God with trust
since she knew that he would continue to care for her. She had no other real
desire but to be with him and be enriched by him. Her giving was serene and
resigned, not despairing, but rather full of hope. She had the hope of one who
knows deep down how much God loves her. How much do I trust and depend on him,
particularly when other securities begin to disappear?
3. Offering My Whole Life: Jesus
shows the great importance of how we give—not only of what we give. What we
have—our possessions and those, which in some way we have made our own—are not
for us. We have them so that we might give them, and we should give them back
to God, for they are his. We give them as an expression of our love for God. I
give my life when I work diligently, practice charity, pray, or sacrifice for
love of Christ. All these acts of love, if not made explicit before, are made
into an intentional gift to Jesus, when I mentally place them upon the paten
along with the hosts to be consecrated during the Offertory at Mass. Do I give
him my whole life?
Conversation
with Christ: Lord Jesus, awaken me
to all you are for me, and let me realize all that you have given me. May I
never cease to thank you through my own self-giving. You are my living and
constant invitation to be more generous, to give more often and with more love.
Open my heart, Lord, to your work!
Resolution:In prayer, I will make a list of all that I can do for Jesus this week
and offer this to him. Then, on Sunday during the Offertory, I will mentally
place before him on the paten all the sacrifices I have made during the week—my
real gift to him, given with faith and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment