Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
When our children were young we took a trip to Washington DC. The first day we took the kids to the Smithsonian and the Capitol and several other places. When we got off the Metro to begin our trek, my husband gave each of the kids a twenty dollar bill and told them that was their money to use for souvenirs. We had walked only a short way before we noticed a homeless man. My son, 7 years old at the time, stopped and looked up at me. “I know what I want to do with my money”, he said. He proceeded to walk up to the gentleman and give him the twenty dollars. That image is forever burned in my memory. That small gesture, for me, carries significance beyond my understanding. Frankly, I do not remember much else from that trip to Washington.
Luke’s Gospel reading for today relates the story of the Widow’s Mite. While the scribes and the wealthy are making their contributions, in as conspicuous a manner as possible, Jesus notices the widow putting the only two coins she had in the treasury. There are no specific details about this widow except that she “… offered her whole livelihood” (Lk 21:4). I find myself wondering about her life—where she lived, what her story was and so forth. Whatever her circumstances, this passage always leaves me convicted in numerous ways because I do not always give “all” I have to God. I resist that total surrender. There are times I find myself going back and forth in my mind about how much to give to charity or how much to do for an individual in need or how much time to spend on church ministries. There are other times I just give on impulse and wonder whether I was reckless. Frankly I am aware this points to a bigger issue than any one incident. The truth is that I have to struggle to keep God first in everything. This would explain the times I vacillate or rationalize. Things are muddled when I allow myself and my desires to come into play. This often happens unconsciously however it happens all the same. The truth is that everything I have and everything I am able to do has been made possible or been given to me by God. When I live is this particular reality—the times I truly see everything as a gift from God—it changes the order of things radically. My thinking is more clear and intentional and my response is more fully rooted in God. Paradoxically, this is exactly when I feel most free—free of indecision, free of my personal agenda, and free to live in the fullest way who God intends me to be. I know this is all dependent on God’s grace, but my effort plays a big part in it. I’d like to say my “default” mode of operating in my daily life is one of constantly seeking God and his reign, but I continue to struggle in many things—big and small.
When my son gave all of the money he had to that homeless man, I was moved by his generosity. More than that, I was touched by the fact that there was no hesitation, no weighing the options, and no later mention of it. Someone was in need and he responded immediately to help in the only way he could. It was small, simple and assured. We will never know the eternal effect of my son’s gesture beyond that which it had on my family. I only know I still think of it and it still compels me to want change my heart. I pray for that grace this day.
Glorious Heavenly Father,
Make me simple and generous.
Empty my heart of everything
that keeps me from giving to you completely.
Show me exactly how I must change
and place before me the opportunities to do so.
With the intercession of Mary,
through Jesus Christ, your Son.
Amen.
-Gail Lyman