32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – True Generosity

“Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood’” (Mark 12:41-44).

The selfless widow exemplifies humility, discretion, and generosity, which are all part of authentic discipleship. Her gift represented everything she had. It was not given from her surplus but rather from her need.

Discipleship means recognizing two things about gifts. First, God has bestowed gifts upon every one of us. Second, whatever gifts or “riches” God has entrusted to us are to be cheerfully and willingly shared for the benefit of others—particularly those in greatest need.

In our day-to-day lives, we need to recognize that we all have gifts and talents to offer our peers in need. In addition to recognizing these gifts, we could (and should) share them, for example, by spending time with someone who is having problems in a relationship or volunteering in a community support organization.

What is your contribution to others? How do you share yourself and your gifts, not from your abundance but out of what you truly need?

Adapted from Word on the Go, a downloadable resource from RENEW International.