Reading I
In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
"Please bring along a bit of bread."
She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die."
Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
'The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
Gospel
In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."
Reflection
Today’s readings highlight one of the most vulnerable populations in biblical times: widows. These women had no way to support themselves, and so they relied upon others to stay alive and fed. Our readings today show us how God loves and cares for those who need Him—especially those who do not cling to what few resources they have. We are all called to imitate these widows, for we are all utterly dependent. While we may enjoy more worldly stability and freedom than these women did, we are in the same precarious position when it comes to our true happiness and our eternal lives. We cannot save ourselves.
In the first reading and the Gospel, we hear about two widows who have almost nothing. Both women give everything they have for the sake of obedience and generosity. They show astounding selflessness and trust in the providence of God. The widow from the Gospel receives the esteem of Jesus for “contributing all that she had.” In the first reading, the widow recognizes and provides for Elijah’s need, even though she is sensitive to her own. And indeed, the Lord provides for that widow and ensures that she and her son do not go hungry.
Our generosity might be the method by which God wishes to provide for the most vulnerable among us. Let us not be afraid to make gifts of ourselves, holding nothing back. Whether that means being generous with our money, time, or talents, the Christian life is all about giving—making ourselves into a gift for others in imitation of Christ, who underwent the ultimate self-sacrifice on the Cross.
God promises to sustain the widows and orphans—and we are all widows and orphans insofar as we recognize that we cannot, no matter how many riches we store away, rely on ourselves if we want to truly thrive. Let us therefore recognize how much we need God, rejoice and trust in the fact that He always provides what we need, and so hold nothing back when He calls us to give what we have. By God’s grace, we can be channels of God’s providence for the poor and recipients of that same loving care.
Please be assured of my prayers for you before Our Lord, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+ Bishop Schlert
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