The Meek Outdoes the Mighty: The Paradox of the Widow’s Mite:

It is the Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time and in today’s Gospel of Mark we hear the parable of the poor widow giving up her last few "pennies" to the temple treasury while those is fine robes, those granted with many blessing, give only from their surplus.

This story is powerful for us today on a few fronts— especially as we debate our "obligation" to the poor. First, it is important as it highlights how Christ expects us to align our pri-orities; charity to the poor is not meant to be formed upon what "looks good" or makes us "feel good," the latter being only a result but not the prime motivator of our actions. Second, our "duty" to the poor should not be calculated by the "extra" or "surplus" funds we possess, but rather should come from the heart when it recognizes the dignity of the human person originates from being made in the image and likeness of God.

Jesus is doing some "people watching" in today’s Gospel. He sees a whole lot of people—religious officials in long robes—an impressive sight to the temple members as they bow and make room for them, as well as the lowly and the poor—the widow—all going in and out of the temple and depositing their financial obligation into the collection box. Jesus is calling our attention to the difference between the religious officials—the well-to-do—and the poor widow—the "nobody". The former gives both out of their "extra" and for the maintenance of the temple, to keep it going; but the widow gives from her "sustenance"—from her entire trust in God, because she has no one else to rely on. Here’s the lesson: the money she has is very little and is needed to buy her necessities of life—flour and water to make bread perhaps, but she knows that money alone will not save her or bring her true comfort. Her life is in God’s hands. This she knows is the ultimate truth. The widow knows that she must trust in God, that He will not fail her. That her generous heart will allow her to continue on this path so as to pray for God’s Kingdom to come, for God’s grace to enter into her heart, to live in peace with others, and to be saved from the final evil. Her wealth is not counted in copper or gold coins but in spiritual wealth.

In the New Testament Christ says, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" This widow listened to the Word of God and allowed that Word to form her heart and her very being. Each day for us—as long as this today lasts—is a day to listen to what the Lord says to each of us—that human life is sacred, that the dignity of each person is to be treasured, that God’s gifts are to be used for each other, and that He desires not to lose any of what has been give to Him by the Father—that is you and me—all of us. It is not for us to presume that we know more than Christ or that as a society becomes more educated we don't become confused and believe that His truths are not longer absolute, or that we as individuals can even know more than His Church has come to know over 2,000-plus years of study under the guidance of His Holy Spirit. Rather, each day is a day to grow in the knowledge and service of the Lord. And to serve Him well.

That can only come about by following the example of the widow in today’s Gospel; be of generous heart, and make that generous heart—inspired by God—to be the springboard into His service and not simply to seek our own wants and desires