He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ Luke 21:1-4
Yesterday I had the great joy of spending time at Grace Camp. Grace Camp is a week at our diocesan Camp Marshall for children who have a parent or guardian who is in jail. Many of these children are Native. The population of Native peoples in Montana is about 11% while the vast majority of the incarcerated in this state are Native, both men and women. These are some of the most generous children in the world, although many of them have been abused and abandoned. They really work at caring for each other, and love helping and participating. They give more than any of the children from stable two parent families. An interesting contrast. I am always humbled to be with them.
In our Gospel today Jesus finds the religious leaders, trying to show how wonderful they were in their giving. They were actually giving a minimum, but were very self-important and proud in their wealth. Their wealth was certainly gained off the labors of the poor. Yet it was the widow who Jesus shines light on. Her love and generosity is a symbol for us today. We are invited to look on what we have, either much or little, as the gifts from God, putting to good use the love we have been blessed with, sharing it with others.
Today I ask God to help me be generous and grateful in all things. May we give all we have since we are truly blessed by God!
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