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

,November 24, 2025, Luke 21:1-4

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112425.cfm

So Many Opportunities in a Day

Whenever I read this passage about the poor widow and her two small coins, my mind often shifts to my wallet. But as I meditate on this widow, I realize it’s not about my wallet. It’s not about material possessions. It’s about how much her heart grew over the years with the Lord. Her heart expanded so much in her faith that she gave all she had to live on that day and possibly tomorrow.

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

Widows and that culture had no source of income. All these small sacrifices made her rely on God more than getting everything she wanted. Her heart grew a little more each time.

Our poverty of spirit begins when we stop allowing the frustrations of life to dictate how we think, act, and behave. We have the will to choose charity and to find God amidst those frustrations. I will end 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 despite 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!

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