Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
As I read the readings for today, I was particularly struck by the verse she “offered her whole livelihood.” The word “livelihood” is often understood to mean what a person does (his or her job) and their material possessions. I believe that Jesus is speaking much more broadly when He refers to the widow in the reading. Since God is love, and Jesus is God taking on flesh, then Jesus is love incarnate. If we are disciples, we are called to imitate Jesus in all that we do. But He calls us to more than doing a job or the daily tasks of life- we are called to do all things with great love.
In the gospel, Jesus is watching people in the temple as they give their offerings. Jesus comments that the widow gives from her poverty. Unlike the wealthy who give their tithe, the widow shows great trust in God’s love and care for her. She gives and believes that God will provide. The wealthy may be generous, but they still can fall back on their material possessions to see them through. The widow gives her “whole livelihood”- her money, her trust, and her love for God and others in the two small coins she contributes. Jesus in His own life illustrates how to give his “whole livelihood” in perfect love through his passion, death and resurrection.
In the first reading, John is writing about the end times. He describes the Lamb and those who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” John refers to these people as those who are singing a new hymn that only they could learn. These thousands have placed their trust in the Lamb and like the Lamb they are found to be unblemished. It is not because they have done great things, but they have been ransomed through God’s love and grace, and they now join the Lord on Mount Zion.
How are we called to give our livelihood? In a month I am retiring after being in practice for over 30 years. When I read today’s scripture, I realize that being a disciple and giving my livelihood to God is more than offering up my job or profession. A quote attributed to Mother Theresa explains this well- “Not all people can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.” Whether we are working at a job, doing daily chores at the home, caring for a loved one, or reaching out to serve others in our community- in every instance by doing these things with great love we are imitating Jesus. This is a hard lesson, since many times we want to do grand things with our lives, and these small acts of love seem to be so insignificant. This is where I am reminded about the widow who trusts solely in God and His love, and therefore she gives her small offering not to seek attention, but to show her love and trust. It is in her small gift given with love that she receives great attention from a person who truly counts- Jesus!
Living as a disciple requires not seeking material wealth, power or praise as the foundation for our behavior. This is very challenging, since this is not the way of our culture. Striving to be noticed, to be richer, or to be in control are all seen as ideals for those in our society. The people that live these ways are viewed as important. To live as a disciple means that love of God and others is primary, and more often than not, this lifestyle will not bring praise and adulation from others. Living simply in loving ways can often be a source of ridicule and suspicion when viewed by people who do not trust in God.
We must grow in our knowledge of God and His ways through prayer, scripture, sacrament and creation in order to live as a disciple. When we live lives of love and mercy we learn the “new hymn” that the thousands were singing as they came before the Lamb. Although the small acts of love may not garner the attention and praise of those in our world, we will be recognized and welcomed by the Lamb, since we will be marked with His name and the Father’s. When we offer our livelihood of love to God, He not only welcomes us into His eternal love, but God gives us the opportunity to begin building His Kingdom right here on earth.
Loving Father, Your Son Jesus shows us how to live our lives in love and service. Through the grace of Your Spirit, help us to do and say all things- even the smallest ones- with great love. May our lives of love be a song of praise for You always. We pray this through Christ our LORD. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline