Prayerful Reflections ...

...Prayerful reflections provide an opportunity to step into the gospel stories and encounter Jesus and the people He converses with.  Here we make a space within ourselves to notice our own reaction to the story being shared.  How are you responding?  What emotions are stirred and what might God be asking you to address in the context of your own life as a result of immersing yourself in this dialogue with Jesus?

A Poor Widow Gives All She Has  -  Luke 21:1-4

Jesus was standing in the temple courtyard.  There was colour, chatter and movement everywhere.  The rustle of luxurious robes bustled around him as the merchants and businessmen laughed and conversed together, aimlessly tossing whatever spare coins they had into the treasury boxes.  Their sacrifice hardly made a mark in their bulging pockets, but their duty was done and they hastened on.

Jesus saw her coming forward to make a meagre contribution.  Her worn garments of thin, drab cotton hung loosely, but there was a sense of purpose in her step that drew Jesus’ attention from her attire to her pleasant face.  She placed two small copper coins in the treasury and went back into the thronging crowd.

 As quickly as she came, the widow was gone.  Yet that humble and determined gesture left a mark on Him.

She was a poor widow who kept aside those coins from her miniscule weekly earnings to give into the temple offering.  She gave not because she had to, but because of her immense gratitude. This was a token of her thanks, for surely God had given her far more than she could offer to him now. It had cost her much, but it was a willing sacrifice.  His love shed abroad in her heart, her life, was the greatest gift she had ever received.  This was her love offering of thanks in return.

And so Jesus watched and recalled her faithfulness to his disciples.

“I tell you the truth” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

NOTICE……REFLECT…….RESPOND……

Do you see yourself in this story?

What is God inviting you to notice in this story?

What is Jesus really commending?

Is there an invitation to let go of any expectations, obligations or damaging preconceived ideas about this story?

Is there a new, liberating way to love God presented to you in this story?

Jennifer Woodley