Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Our readings today tell the tale of two widows.
The first reading from 1 Kings describes a time of famine and drought. A widow and her son had only a handful of flour and a bit of oil left in the cupboard. The widow’s plan was to gather some sticks, light a fire, knead the last bit of dough, eat the last portion of bread with her son, and then they would die of starvation.
Along comes Elijah the Prophet during this time of great scarcity. He says to the woman, “Please bring a bit of bread for me.” With a generous heart that goes beyond our understanding, she complies. With less food now that she had given it away, she and her son would die sooner, but Elijah says to her, “Do not be afraid.”
Her faith and generosity were tested. She passed the test.
After she had given her bread and water away to a stranger, we read — “She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well. The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry.” Then the rains came, the produce grew, and the famine was ended.
The Lord provided because this widow was willing to give what she had.
It reminds me of the familiar story of the boy with the five loaves and two fish in the Gospel story (not the one we read this weekend). This boy was in the midst of the hungry crowd. Yet, because he gave what he had to Jesus, Jesus multiplied it and made it enough to satisfy everyone who needed food.
Then we come to today’s Gospel. Another widow. She gave two coins to the temple treasury to provide for the worship of God, yet many rich people put in much larger sums. Jesus commends her because “She, from her poverty, contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” She made the greater sacrifice. She gave it all.
What is Jesus trying to tell us with these readings? I think he tells us to hold nothing back when he asks something from us.
Take for example, our worship of God at Mass. Are we holding back? Do we sing full throated, pray from the heart, and give our lives to the One who saves?
If a neighbor needs our help, do we give of our time? What sacrifice do we make for others? Are we like the Good Samaritan who went out of the way to help his neighbor?
And in our families, are we giving all the time and attention that we can to our children, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents? Do we sit at the table and look at our mobile phones, or do we engage in real conversation with each other?
In the end, if we are stingy with our gifts to others, God will be stingy in his gifts to us. Perhaps that is why Jesus tells us: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38).
May we have faith to share what we have out of love, so that the Lord will bless us with his generosity in return.
Have a great week everyone.
And please pray for me as I go to Baltimore this week for the annual fall meeting with my brother bishops.