The Poor Widow Gives and Jesus Notices it

November 27, Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: First reading: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Gospel: Luke 21:1-4

Jesus watches the poor widow. Poor and a widow and yet giving. That struck the watchful eyes of Jesus. Every society needs such widows. He spoke about his admiration for such giving. The one who contributes most is often the talk of the town and is usually publicly admired too.

Jesus was taken aback by the simple lesson the poor widow was practicing. What really matters is not what you have but who you are, even when you do not have it.

In fact, giving is the principle upon which the entire creation merrily moves on. The sun keeps on giving light and heat, unasked. The air keeps on giving oxygen to life, unasked. The trees keep on giving us fruits unasked.

They keep growing as if they live only for our sake. They live by the principle of self-giving without questioning what they will get in return. If there is one word to convey the message they live for, the poor widow should give it.

We are the only species who have to make a choice to give or not to give. Many of us would struggle to give away, even though we may have much more than we need. If we ask ourselves, what would make us truly happy—giving away or keeping? We know somehow that the giver's attitude generates some form of inner contentment.

And if you have managed to give even when you did not have a lot extra, the measure of happiness must have increased. That was what must have happened to the poor widow who gave while having little. She must have said to herself, Thank you, God; you especially blessed me so I could give even when I had so little.