"I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." - Luke 21:3-4
As I was meditating on the Gospel readings, I could not help but admire how much richness this short reading has. Praise be to Jesus Christ, for in just the first 4 verses of Luke's 21st chapter, He reveals one of the most important ways that we can truly live out our call to "Courageously Live the Gospel".
Christ tells us in the Gospel readings of Luke 21:1-4 that the poor widow, who only gave her last two copper coins, gave more than the rich did with their hefty offerings. Why? Because she gave all that she had to the service of the Lord. I love the choice of words that are used in this passage. It says in Luke 21:4, that the woman gave her entire livelihood. What does this mean? If we truly aim to live out our diocesan motto of "Courageously Living the Gospel", we need to avoid giving the Lord only out of the "surplus" of our lives, and be zealous in giving Him our entire livelihood. Look at the boy, who was only able to give the Lord 5 loaves and 2 fish. He gave all he had to our Lord and was able to feed the five thousand.
Imagine what can happen if we were to provide the Lord with all WE have, our graces, our consolations, our desolations, our strengths, our weaknesses, our concerns, our gratitude. If we place all we have, big or small, in the hands of the Lord, He will multiply it and do the rest.
How can I give my whole livelihood to the Lord?
Blessed Mother, help your children bring their whole livelihood to Christ.
Reflection by:
Benjamin Harris
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here
