“The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, – 1 Kings 17:10
Our Scripture passages about the poor widows who gave generously cause me to reflect on what I would be willing to give away out of love of God and others. I know that I do not have a perfectly generous heart. What is it that I am stingy or selfish with? Is it the “safe” space of my home? Is it my time, perhaps? Or maybe it’s my husband’s time, talent, and energy that he so generously gives to those he loves and our community. There are many ways to be stingy; these readings are not just about money.
Like the widows in the readings, I ask myself what is that last handful of flour, the two small coins, what is the poverty of my heart that God is inviting me to be more generous with? Christ poured Himself out for us (Philippians 2:7)—for me—for each and every person. How else can I respond to His gift of self than with my own gift of generosity, poured out of my heart, even out of my poverty.
I ask myself, where am I poor? Money, time, energy, love? Whatever it is, this is precisely where Jesus is calling me to generosity, for this is where He wants to replenish me. He wants to fill the hungry parts of me with good things (Luke 1:53). He wills that my jar of flour does not go empty and my jug of oil does not run dry. He will fill it with His own divine life. I give from my poverty and He answers my generosity with His own: I will receive Christ Himself.
What a paradox: to become rich I must pour out even the little of what is already lacking in me. If I am stingy with my time, I must pour out some of it to others to allow God to fill me with His superabundant time. If I am stingy with my money, I must put what I have in Christ’s hands for Him to bless me in return.
Jesus, help me to discern what my last handful of flour equals to in my life. May my heart be trusting and generous, not grasping and hoarding. May I generously pour out myself for You and others. Help me to trust in Your providence.
Readings for November 7, 2021: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 1 Kings 17:10-16
- Psalm 146:7-10
- Hebrews 9:24-28
- Mark 12:38-44