Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 25, 2024

Date: Monday of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke 21:1-4

When Jesus looked up, he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Jesus’ teaching on loving sacrifice using the example of the poor widow’s donation. His teaching isn’t so much about financial giving as it is about being willing to lovingly sacrifice for what is good and holy.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I make sacrifices for love of my LORD and others? Or are my “contributions” calculated and measured?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us as our human brother, to reveal your great love for us and desire for us to have life with You in abundance. Through His loving example, we came to realize more fully the depth of your love for us and of His love for You and us when He willingly sacrificed himself upon a cross at Calvary in obedience to your will and for our redemption. Send your Spirit to stir within us the love You woven within our very selves and continue to shower upon us so that it might be not only the fuel for our journey home to You but also the motivation for our words and actions along the way. Grant that we may be capable of selflessly sacrificing for love of You and one another, for what is good and holy, this day and all days. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.