Two Small Coins

The WORD today reminds me that God sees the value of what we give him, even if the world do not. 

There are a lot of people who have their favorite sleepwear. They always use old or oversized shirts for sleeping. It makes them feel comfortable and relaxed. They could easily buy new and expensive sleepwear, but choose to use their old ones. These may not be worth a lot, since they are old and worn out, but to the owners, their value is high. Same is true for people who keep old or damaged toys, whose worth may be minimal, but who value these things a lot. God looks at our giving the same way.

God looks at the value of what we give him, not  the worldly worth.

In the gospel, what the widow gave may not have much worth in the world. Two cents may not be able to help the poor that much. It may be practically useless. But its value for the woman is high because it was all she had. Good thing God is not man, and he does not see things the way we do. He does not need money from us to be able to do great things, to buy new things, and to help the poor. What he needs from us is a heart surrendered, a heart ready to give him what we value most, and a heart who trusts in him to make use of whatever we give and multiply it.

Aside from her generosity, we also see the woman’s faith in God. Being a widow during that time, she is practically worthless in society, because without her husband she is nothing. That being the case, she needs every money she has to survive. But her situation did not prevent her from sharing for God’s kingdom. Her situation did not prevent her from surrendering to God. She gave all she had because she had faith that God would continue to take care of her. She gave all she had, because she loves God and wants to share him with others.

The woman may not have given a lot in terms of amount, but she gave everything she had. That may not have much worth in the world’s eyes, but in God’s eyes, that is priceless.

A few months ago, when this pandemic was starting, there were articles of simple people doing extraordinary work to help others. Taho vendors, who earn very little, gave free taho to frontline workers and medical personnel. As some say, those who have less, sometimes, give the most. God sees our hearts and how we give. We can give to a lot of people right now. It doesn’t matter if we feel our giving does not help so much. God thinks otherwise. 

God does not look at the worldly value of what we give. He looks at our hearts as we give.  

How do I feel about giving? How do I share my blessings with others? Am I generous with what God has given me, regardless of my situation or not? How do I help people with the covid situation? What is God telling me today? 

May we be inspired and encouraged to give until it hurts, not because we like pain or are crazy, but because we want to love like Jesus did – with pain, dying of one’s self, and putting others first.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the very inspiring reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I put off giving because I feel that I cannot give a lot. Sorry for the times I give but only out of my surplus. Sorry for not having a giving heart.  Lord, I pray that you help me give you the kind of importance the woman in the gospel gave you. May I be generous, loving and faith filled as her. May  I be willing to give you whatever I have, no matter how painful it may be for me and no matter how insignificant it may seem for me. May I be willing and ready to give you my best. Help me be detached from the things of this world. Help me put importance on you, not on worldly things. And help me have faith to trust in you and surrender. Help me love and give like you do. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

June 06, 2020

Saturday of Week 9; St. Norbert

FIRST READING

2nd Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 4:1-8

Beloved:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. 

For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 71:8-9, 14-15ab, 16-17, 22

R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation. 

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day. Cast me not off in my old age; as my strength fails, forsake me not. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

But I will always hope and praise you ever more and more. My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord; O GOD, I will tell of your singular justice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre, for your faithfulness, O my God! I will sing your praises with the harp, O Holy One of Israel! 

R. I will sing of your salvation.

ALLELUIA

Matthew 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “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.”