Monday 27 November 2023

Today is Monday 27 November, in the 34th week of Ordinary time.

Madison Cunningham with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Little Things With Great Love’.

In the garden of our Savior, no flower grows unseen;
His kindness rains like water on every humble seed.
No simple act of mercy escapes His watchful eye —
for there is One who loves me: His hand is over mine.
In the kingdom of the heavens, no suff’ring is unknown;
each tear that falls is holy, each breaking heart a throne.
There is a song of beauty on ev’ry weeping eye —
for there is One who loves me: His heart, it breaks with mine.
Oh, the deeds forgotten; oh, the works unseen,
every drink of water flowing graciously,
every tender mercy, You’re making glorious.
This You have asked us: do little things with great love,
little things with great love.
At the table of our Savior, no mouth will go unfed;
His children in the shadows stream in and raise their heads.
Oh give us ears to hear them and give us eyes that see —
for there is One who loves them: I am His hands and feet.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 21: 1-4

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

What does contributing out of abundance look like to you? Think of some examples where you have seen this happen… or, where you have been able to practise this yourself. Give thanks for that abundance.

Imagine what is going on physically and emotionally for the woman in this scene. She might have carefully saved up the two copper coins or given totally spontaneously. She might have been stressed or anxious… Jesus will have noticed it all, for sure. Take a moment to imagine Jesus noticing the woman…

As you hear the passage again, sit with the Lord. Observe the whole scene with him. Hear his compassionate, insightful summing up of the situation. Notice your reaction.

What does contributing out of poverty look like - or feel like - to you? Do you witness it happening today?

Whatever feelings have come up for you about this or anything else, share them with the Lord in these closing moments.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.