The True Spirituality of the Poor Widow and the challenge of practicing this Spirituality

Gospel Thoughts

34th Week : Monday

GOSPEL Lk 21: 1-4

First Reading - Rev 14:1-5

*The True Spirituality of the Poor Widow and the challenge of practicing this Spirituality*

*1) The Poor widow was the Heroine for Jesus*

There were many people in the scene. Some were rich, some were wealthy, some were powerful, some were influential, and some were proud

Among all these people who came to drop money in the temple treasury, Jesus notices this poor widow for her great gesture

Jesus not only notices this poor widow but hails her among the crowd as the great person who had the right spirituality and deep faith in God. 

At the end of the scene she becomes a great person among all others in the crowd. 

Why she became great in the sight of Jesus? 

*2) The genuine Spirituality of the Poor widow*

Her spirituality consists in some important things. They are the following 

*A) Poverty*

There is a direct connection between the poverty and her spirituality. 

The Gospel says she was a poor widow and she didn't have many things. 

It is said she offered the two little coins from her poverty and not from her surplus

*B) Livelihood*

She is offering the Whole livelihood. 

Livelihood could be understood as *a means of securing the necessities of life*

So it the necessities of preserving life. Without that she can't survive. 

Once again she is not offering the part of her livelihood, but the Whole livelihood, she is offering. This is something tremendous and marvelous. 

It means she has nothing left to sustain her life for tomorrow. That is the height of her great gesture

*C) The Act of Offering*

The act of offering, that is without anybody's force, is itself a great deed. 

But when we look this widow, having nothing extra in her hands, had a great heart of offering whatever she had. That is something great.

The act of free offering does not come very easily and especially when some is really poor, the concept of offering happens very rarely. So this also shows the greatness of her spirituality. 

*D) No publicity, no intention of capturing the attention of anyone*

There is not even slightest intention in the widow to make this act, for the sake of  drawing attention from the crowd.

In fact she is least bothered about the crowd. She does this offering as the act of her love and duty towards God

Since nobody noticed it, except Jesus, it is clear that her offering does not take the place of publicity and drawing attention.  

*3) Genuine Spirituality includes these above things* 

*Poverty* : Blessed are the poor in spirit theirs is the kingdom of God 

*Share from the Livelihood* and not from the surplus 

*The genuine act of offering without any attached intention*

No publicity for the things done for the sake of God and neighbour

*4) Am I somewhere near to this spirituality of widow* 

I feel none of us will be able to say that my spirituality exactly corresponds to the spirituality of the widow 

The aspect of poverty, livelihood, the genuine act of offering without any publicity need a very deep rooted spirituality. 

*5) It is a great challenge to all of us*

To follow the spirituality of the window is not at all easy. It is very challenging one 

Since it is very challenging one, and it demands a deep rooted  spirituality many of us do not take the trouble of reflecting the same 

Even though it is very challenging one, it is not impossible. So the widow invites us to follow this spirituality. 

*6) Widow is an inspiration to all of us*

Simple widow, hardly noticed by any one, became a great person to be noticed by many for centuries together

Reflecting the act and spirituality of this widow will help us to begin somewhere and to grow in genuine spirituality. 

*7) Name of the widow not found*

The Gospel does not give the name of the widow. 

The widow remains as a unknown to us. This simply means any one take the place of this widow. 

I can take her place, you can take her place, one can inspire another to take her place

*If So Am I ready to take the place of the Poor Window??*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*