GOSPEL POWER |JUNE 5, 2021 SATURDAY | Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr | 9th Week in Ordinary Time 

 Gospel: Mk 12 : 38 - 44

As he taught, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and 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 sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Reflection

To the eyes of any onlooker, the widow’s gesture of  dropping two copper coins into the temple treasury  appears too insignificant to be worth consideration. But the  probing gaze of Jesus does not miss the intention behind her gesture.  The widow’s generosity strikes a chord in his heart because it is  total and unsparing. It is, to borrow St. Paul’s expression, KENOSIS, which is the way that Jesus himself will follow — the way of selfemptying. The widow’s total generosity is a reflection of God’s lavish  giving without counting the cost. It is worthy of special notice and  comment, so that its true character may be revealed to the untrained  eyes of Jesus’ disciples

Prayer

Lord Jesus, grant that we may never judge by appearances but seek to  know the real intention that motivates a person’s gesture. Amen.