A Word from Our Pastor

11-10-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Jesus reminds us that God does not force or push people to do good. He wants us to do good from the goodness of our hearts. Examining the widow in the Gospel offering, the Lord teaches that it is not so much the quantity as the quality of our giving that matters. Giving from our hearts has far more value than giving from our surplus. As God does not force people, we should think the same and not try to coerce or manipulate God. Remember, God’s ways are not man’s ways.

Jesus also teaches us the importance of sacrifice. The highest of all sacrifices is that of our Lord Jesus Christ. “But now, once and for all, he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice.” The Lord died for us, and His life is the ultimate sacrifice for the expiation of sins. His resurrection opened the gift of eternal life. Eternal life for us is this: We believe in the one true God and His only Son, Jesus Christ inviting us to share in the mission by offering our lives to Him and with Him.

Elijah encounters the widow in Zarephath, who sacrificed the last flour and oil for the prophet. For this sacrifice, Elijah assures her: 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 the Lord sends rain upon the earth. The widow acts with faith and makes a meal for Elijah. Her generosity earned God’s promise of care for her and her son. God indeed provides for His people.

The two widows present to us an inspiring example of total self-giving. In the eyes of the world, the widow of Zarephath must be crazy, giving up their last meal to the prophet. The Temple widow is even in a more dire situation. And yet, she gives her last two coins. At face value, or stretching our imagination, we can understand the action of the widow of Zarephath. A prophet of God is hungry, and giving up their last meal is worth the sacrifice. Jesus admires the widow in the Gospel for her unparalleled generosity, sacrificial giving, and an act of FAITH. He praises her for giving not from her surplus but from her poverty.

True generosity comes from FAITH. It is not simply giving from what we need to live on, from our wealth excess or not but a sacrificial giving of everything we have for the Lord. In truth, it is the best example of trusting God, faith in God, and, above all, love for God. Generosity is giving to God wholeheartedly whatever He may ask of us.

Generosity is about giving. The quality of giving the highest of which is sacrificial giving. Using the example of the poor widow in the Gospel, Jesus teaches us that sacrificial giving is giving from the heart, not the surplus. Yes! We need quantity, but the quality (giving) matters most. In addition to the sincerity of heart is the hiddenness and humility in the act that spring from true charity. A sacrificial giving is an act of FAITH and an act of charity.

Do you know what PUSH in God means? PUSH means: Pray Until Something Happens!” Another meaning says: Pray Until Someone Hears. We don’t make things happen by our prayers. Ultimately, there is someone who hears (GOD) and who makes things happen.