The reign of the Lord glorified in today’s Psalm is a kingdom of justice for the oppressed. The other readings, too, all focus on God’s loving concern for the poor, the weak and the powerless.
In the First Reading, a destitute Gentile widow gives to Elijah all that she has left in the world, when he asks for help. Though she herself is not one of the people of Israel, her generous self-giving is rewarded by a miraculous multiplication of her tiny supply of flour and oil.
The Psalm continues this theme, celebrating God’s eternal faithfulness and loving care to those who are vulnerable, bowed down and hungry.
By way of introduction to today’s Gospel scene, which takes place outside the Temple in Jerusalem, the Second Reading explains that the death and resurrection of Jesus have done away once and for all with Temple offerings and sacrifices for sin.
As Jesus sits outside the Temple treasury (Gospel), he teaches his disciples to be wary of people like the scribes, who flaunt their privilege and entitlement in public places. The rich and powerful have a false sense of their own importance. In contrast, Jesus honours the humble actions of another poor widow passing by. Although she only gives a tiny amount to the Temple, her contribution is all the more generous because she is offering all that she has to the Lord. It is her example that we are asked to follow.
Let us pray this week for a generous and loving heart. May we never be afraid to give of ourselves to the Lord, so that we may bring about his Kingdom of love in the world today.