GIVING EVEN OUT OF ONE’S POVERTY
Introduction
Paul, beseeches Timothy to keep preaching the word of God, in season and out of season, to be a good minister of the Lord and to give himself, as Paul had done.
Jesus, who lived in the hands of the Father, points out to his disciples how much a poor widow was living in the hands of God, so much so, that she put in the treasury for the worship in the temple coins she even needed for her own living. She gave her all. She simply gave herself to God. What a trust and generosity!
1 Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Psalm 71: 8-9, 14-15, 16-17, 22
R. I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone. R.
As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all. R.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, R.
I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel. R.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life,
You have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Commentary
The Letter to Timothy concludes with a strong exhortation to persevere. As the author has previously stated, the gospel of God is not chained. It will not be thwarted, but it requires evangelizers to make its message known. This will not be an easy task. In the midst of countless difficulties, its bearers will be tempted to withdraw and to lose patience. It is a saving message, but it is not always welcome. Teachers will appear with a message enticing enough to lead astray even the believers. Fables rather than the truth will prove attractive. For his part, the apostle is self-confident. He has cherished the faith, fought the good fight, and finished the race. There remains now only the fulfillment of the promise; the merited crown awaits him.
It is a great grace to finish life with the assurance that the interests of the faith have been served. One leaves behind no financial inheritance of great worth, no perishable crown. But God’s cause has been at the center of one’s life. One stands confident before the Jesus Christ who comes in judgment. As the Gospel tells us today, even the widow’s small contribution made an important difference. We have received the faith as a gift, have passed it on, and tried to live the ideals that it proposes. We confidently hope to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Blessing
Jesus gave all that he had and was – his whole self, to bring others life and happiness. Like him, let us not count the cost of our gifts. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!