32 – Sunday in Ordinary Time – B

Only Jesus Christ appreciated very much the widow's offering. Only He respected her by saying: “For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Here we can see that our way of seeing and assessing somebody's value certainly differs from the way of God. By these words from today's Gospel Jesus is teaching us that even the smallest act done out of God's love is much more precious than the biggest achievements done out of selfish desires.

But first we have to ask more fundamental question: whether we are still able to offer something, to share, to give without thinking about getting back?

We certainly know the golden rule cited by St. Paul in the Acts of Apostles (20:35): "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving".

But do we practice this in our daily life?

What kind of giver am I?

Do I give because I must or I have to?

Do I give because it is requested or because it is noble or trendy?

Or, am I a joyful giver? I give out of my heart not counting on being appreciated?

One of the Russian writers said: "Nobody is too poor to not give and share, to not be able to help others."

We have also to remember that very often others don't ask or expect the material help, that very often much more important is spiritual help, few friendly words of consolation, a prayer or time we are able to give. It is quite easy to give money; it's much more demanding to share joy, to give a little bit of time, to give a good and constructive word, to be with a needy person. In giving we can quite easy "get reed" of a problem or we can create a durable lifelong relationship.

Francis Balfour wrote:

The best gift we can offer to our enemy is the gift of forgiveness,

the best gift we can offer to our friend is faithfulness,

the best gift we can offer to the child is a good example,

the best gift we can offer to the father is honour him as a Father,

the best gift we can offer to our mother is our heart,

and the best gift we can offer to our neighbour is our supporting hand.