Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Heb. 9:24-28; Mk. 12:38-44
Juliana On Halloween Night – The Widow’s Mite
1. Juliana went tricking-or-treating with her mother, moving from house to house. At one stop, the lady of the house came out to offer Juliana a treat. Juliana saw a special candy she liked and asked if she could have more of it. The woman said 'No' she could only take one and no more. On hearing this, Juliana returned the one candy previously taken and did something more. She dug deep into her candy bag and scooped two handfuls of the candy she received and dropped them into the woman's candy jar, and said, 'here, have some more candy so that you may have enough to offer other children when they come knocking at your door. Don't worry about me; I have more candy at home.' Juliana, a six-year-old, taught the lady a lesson on giving. Remember the theme of our reflection last week? It is better to be a homily in action than preach one. Here is another example of actions speaking louder than words.
2. We often hear people talk about giving their widow's mite to mean giving all they have for a cause. Though they refer to widow's mite, it doesn't always mean the givers are widows. Jesus distinguished two sets of people in today's gospel. The scribes who have it all and the widow who had nothing. They have positions, recognition, authority, prestige, and money. They "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 abdicated their roles as shepherds for the positions of corrupt and oppressive leaders. Those who contributed to the treasury were rich people. They put in a large sum of money while making a big show of it. The widow, on the other hand, had nothing and no one to rely on but God. She almost got lost in the crowd. They may have seen her as an embarrassment to the rich people who were in the synagogue. But the widow knew why she was there. She was there to worship God and give God all she had - her heart, her love, and her all. No one would stop or drive her away from God's house. She believed that God would reward her. She gave sacrificially to the one who gave all to her. Not giving was not an option. She may have thought that no one would notice her gift or that her two small coins would be an insignificant donation. However, Jesus Christ saw and pointed it out to the apostles: "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."
3. This reminds me of a story about the hen and the pig. A hen and a pig were walking down the road. Passing a church, they noticed that a potluck charity breakfast was on the way. Caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the hen that they each make contributions. "Great idea!" the hen cried. "Let's offer them ham and eggs!" "Not so fast," said the pig. "For you, that's just a contribution, but for me, it's a total commitment." This story demonstrates the total commitment of the poor widow in both the first and the gospel reading of today. Her giving, like that of the pig, was absolute. She gave everything she had. She is a sacrificial giver.
4. There are four types of givers. (a) Sporadic givers: These give, now and then, at irregular intervals. They may give once a month or whenever they remember and so give a dollar today or two in three months or so. Giving is not part of their life. (b) Spontaneous givers: These give without premeditation. They don't plan their giving. But since there is some money with them, they may throw it in. At times they give because the pastor appealed for a particular need, so they give to support it. They hate to give and certainly, do not like being asked to do so, either of their time, talent, or treasure. Spontaneous givers give grudgingly and with resentment. (c) Duty givers: They give because they feel an inner compulsion to do so. They also give reluctantly but with a sense of obligation. Their giving is not love-driven or with a sense of appreciation to God, who is the giver of all.
5. The Sacrificial givers: Sacrificial giving is a scriptural principle put in place by God himself. God revealed himself to believers as a sacrificial giver. God gave us his only Begotten Son so that He could bring the whole world to himself. Sacrificial givers give with thanksgiving in their hearts. They plan their giving and give regularly: they receive their envelopes or give online. They give because they know that all they have and are come from God. They give back to him with thanksgiving in their hearts. Their giving is not just monetary but also time and talents. To sacrificial givers, "The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry." (First reading). The God who sees their hearts will open for them the floodgates of heaven and pour down blessings upon them without measure. For their sake, God will forbid the locust to destroy their crop, and the vine in their field will not be barren. (Malachi 3:11). To this group belongs the widows in today's readings and Juliana in the story above. The pig takes its rightful place among sacrificial givers, making a total commitment by dying so that those who attend the charity potluck may enjoy a healthy breakfast. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life, making a total commitment so that we may have eternal life.
6. Today's readings call us to reflect on the type of givers we are. They make us think of how we support the many just causes, be it our church or the many charities that stay us in the face every day. How do we give? As a hen, the rich people, a pig, the widows, or Jesus Christ who died so that we may have life eternal? Let us pray that we may give of our hearts in love to God. May we learn to share our time, talent, and treasure with God and our brothers and sisters in appreciation of God's love for us. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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