NOTES for Luk 21:1-4

For anyone seeking to build a relationship with God, what Christ reveals about the heavenly Father when speaking of the widow's mite is of the utmost importance. The prophet Micah tells us what God expects of us: “O man, you have been told what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love deeds of mercy, and to walk humbly before your God” (Mic. 6:8). But what effort must you make to be pleasing to God in all this? What if a great deal is required of you, while you are capable of only a little? Will the Almighty reject you because your life is too small?

It is the same with the money people put into the Temple treasury: our minds, steeped in a kind of instinctive paganism, expect Christ to approve of those who give a great deal. Yet only the poor widow, who gives a ridiculously small sum, earns His approval. The evangelist Luke conveys Christ's words about two reasons why the widow's gift is preferred in God's eyes. First, she puts in her little coin in deep humility, without the sense of superiority characteristic of the wealthy. Second, she gives her entire livelihood as a symbol of her whole life.

Of course, we very much need this account as Lent approaches. What matters to us at this time is not the magnitude of extraordinary ascetic feats, but humility and sincerity before the Almighty. Let us remember the words of St. John Chrysostom, which we shall hear on Easter night: God “accepts the deeds and welcomes the intention; He honors the action and praises the offering. Therefore, all of you, enter into the joy of your Lord...” What can we bring Him that would compare with the widow's mite? Only sincere love for Him and for the people He has created. And the notion of size does not apply to love.