A Widow's Offering

Then Jesus said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”‘ David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” 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 20:41—21:4

Loving God, Creator of all peoples

you look upon us with eyes of love

caring for the rich and poor alike

calling us to see siblings everywhere.

We humans want to put ourselves above

the four-legged and the flying ones

trying to control the land and nature

not seeing our failings and our flaws.

Yet you watched at the treasury

the generosity of one poor widow

and called us to live like she did

entrusting all that we have to you.

Help us to be generous and loving

not worrying about station and wealth

but about kindness and forgiveness

so that we might show your love today. Amen.