The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Benito Limsuan SVD – Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay
Saturday 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Giving alms, contributing to charities, and even mass offerings for Sunday collections are religious activities we often take for granted, part of our routine acts of charity.
Today, Jesus, in the story of the widow’s mite, reminds us again of who we are and who God is in our lives (cf. Mark 12:41–44). The widow in the temple was poor, vulnerable, and counted for nothing in society. In the background were the rich, influential, powerful, and religious people.
The temple is a place of worship, a place where God and man meet. Later, Jesus would speak of temples not made of stone but of the heart, where God dwells (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16). We go to church to worship God, to talk to Him, and to listen to Him. We thank Him for all the blessings given us. We could never repay God enough, but we can express our grateful hearts.
A very important way of thanking God is to pray and strive to become like Him. Of course, we cannot become Almighty, without beginning or end, but we can imitate His generosity. God gave His all in His Son, who offered His life that we may have the fullness of life (cf. John 10:10). God wants to share His happiness.
Whenever we give a donation, we realize that our happiness is to be in union with God. To be like God means to give our best. The widow gave all the little she had. God saw the kind of generosity she carried in her heart. Therefore, whatever truly makes us happy, we ought to share generously, for this is what God does — sharing Himself without measure.
Whenever I drop 25-centavo coins during the offertory at Mass, I hope to remember Jesus’ story of the widow’s mite, and to give not out of surplus, but out of love.
