In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
REFLECTION:
"They have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
Who was this widow? Was she old? Was she young? Was she alone? Did she have family?
Widowhood is not easy. When your spouse is alive, both of you rely on God and each other for every day decisions. When one of the spouses is missing, the one left behind can only rely on God's help and your late spouse's intercession when decisions have to be made.
Many things are different, many things are gone, including the late spouse's salary. So financial decisions such as tithing can be a heroic task. Total trust in God's Providence is not as easy as it seems.
Both widows gave everything they had to live. The last of her bread, and the last of their money. The widow from the first reading even gave the bread that was meant for her son. We don't know about the widow from the Gospel, regardless, she gave her whole livelihood.
I wonder why are the widows mentioned in the Bible so many times: Naomi, Ruth, Judith, Anna, the widow of Nain, etc.
Our Mother Mary was also a widow. Various traditions tells us that St. Joseph died before Jesus's public ministry, and that Mary followed her Son through it. While crucified, Jesus appoints John to take care of His Mother and thus becoming Our Mother as well.
We also know of other holy widows: St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Jane of Chantal, St. Monica, and St. Rita of Cascia, Ven. Concepcion Cabrera de Armida, St. Frances of Rome, St. Louise de Marillac, etc.
Some of these women came from happy marriages, and others from unhappy marriages. Some had saintly children, and some had rebellious children. Some faced bankruptcy after their husband's death, and some chose to help the poor with their sometimes vast inheritances. Some founded religious orders, and some took care of the homeless and the orphans.
One could blame God for the loss of the spouse, or one can employ the now free time to serve Him better. There is definitely more time for prayer and contemplation.
However, the first step is to rely in God. To ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our path towards Him through the work He wants us to do.
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