Homily for November 25, 2019

The phrase “widow’s mite” has come into our language from the Gospel passage we have just heard. It illustrates the paradox that, sometimes, in giving much, some people are actually giving very little, while other people, in giving a little, are actually giving an awful lot.

In terms of the actual amount of money, the widow gave less than anybody else to the temple treasury but, in reality, she gave a huge amount, because she gave everything she had.

That paradox is true even in our own lives. There are times when we may appear to be giving very little but, in reality, we are giving a lot, because we are giving as much as we can give. Our health may be troubling us; our energy level may be low because of some personal issues we are struggling with. What we have within ourselves to give is much less than it usually is. In those situations, even to give a little of ourselves can be giving a great deal.

The widow in today’s gospel reminds us that, even when we have little to give, we can still be extremely generous. +