Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 27, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Monday of the 34th Week in 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:

In today’s gospel text, Luke recounts Jesus’ witnessing a widow’s sharing of her treasure. Jesus tells those with Him that her gift, though small in comparison to others, was actually “greater” because she shared what little she had while the others witnessed giving were giving from their excess. Our “charity” – our expression of love – must never be based on what we can “afford.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How generous and charitable am I really? Do I calculate “costs” or do I give freely and lovingly in the moment, addressing the true need I see?

Praying:

LORD, You give us life and You give us your love. You call us into being as your daughter and sons and You nurture us and sustain us. Grant that we allow your love to form us, our hearts and minds, so that we might be loving, gracious and generous toward others. Open our eyes so that we might better see the needs of others as well as our hearts so that we might care about those needs. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who gave His life upon a cross so that we might have life. Amen.