Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Monday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time

November 25, 2024, Luke 21:1-4

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112524.cfm

So Many Opportunities in a Day

When I read this passage about the poor widow and her two small coins, my thoughts always go to my wallet. But as I reflect and meditate on this poor widow, I see it’s not about my wallet. It’s not about anything material. It’s about how big her heart grew over the years with the Lord. Her heart grew so much in the Lord that she gave all she had to live on that day and maybe tomorrow.

I wonder how many obstacles she overcame with that generous heart! I wonder how often she overlooked what somebody didn’t do for her when she expected it, holding out her little hand for a donation. I wonder how many frustrations she experienced when she didn’t have enough to eat or a place to sleep.

Widows and that culture had no source of income. All these little sacrifices made her depend on God more than getting anything her way. Her heart grew a little more each time.

Our poverty of spirit begins when we stop letting the frustrations of life dictate how we think, act, and behave. We have the will to choose charity and to find God in those frustrations. I will close with a quote from author Elizabeth Duffy.

Gospel Challenge:
“Anytime we think that we can no longer bear a particular circumstance, we’ve actually reached an opportunity – there’s a chance to obey, to suffer, to serve, to give in spite of ourselves and the apparent poverty of our circumstances.

“When we’ve reached rock bottom, our next breath is a coin in the basket.”

Love Your Neighbor!

Please join me in praying for all baptized Catholics to be faithful to Jesus in the Holy Mass every weekend. Hail Mary, full of grace…

Peace be with you.

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C. 
www.bscchurch.com