First Reading: Dan 1:1-6. 8-20; Psalm: Dan 3. R. v. 29b; Gospel: Lk 21:1-4

GIVING OUR “ALL” TO GOD

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.” (Lk 21:3).

It is so interesting to hear how Jesus approved of the offering of this poor widow over the offerings of the many wealthy people who put in so much more than she did. Jesus’ judgment may appear unfair to our own immediate assessment; but God sees beyond the physical. God knows it all. The spiritual insight that Jesus brings to the fore from this narrative is the need for us to give our ‘all’ to God and to one another. The offering of this poor widow was an offering made from the depth of her heart; a giving of her entire self. Giving is more of an interior thing than exterior.

The point is that we can actually give very little and give better. ‘Giving’ is not only narrowed down to financial offering. It also involves offering services to God and to others. And in doing this, we should first and foremost ensure that it comes deep down from our hearts; for that is the only way we can put in our whole self into the work and thus give our best which is what God truly wants from us.

No matter how insignificant our occupations or responsibilities are; it essentially doesn’t really matter. What matters most is how well we do the job. We need to embrace our services to God and to one another deep down from our hearts. This is the only way we can put in our best in the work. To put in all that we have into the treasury of divine/human services means to give our time, talent, resources and energy in service to God and humanity without hesitation. God is not interested on how little our work is, but on how much we put into it. God looks more at the heart and not the hand of the giver.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, help us to put in our all in our services to you and to one another. Amen.