FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD
25 NOVEMBER 2024
Monday 34
WORD of the DAY
When Jesus looked up, he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Luke 21: 1-4)
How shall I live this Word?
One of the most valuable contributions of the Gospel to contemporary people is to help them live more humanely in a society sick with ‘possession neurosis’.
The model of society and coexistence that shapes our daily lives is not based on what each person is, but on what each person possesses. The important thing is “to have” money, prestige, power, authority…. those who have these things go ahead and succeed in life. Those who do not possess any of these things is excluded.
From the earliest years of life, children are taught to “have” rather than “be”. The important thing is that they be formed so that tomorrow they may “have” a position, an income, a name, a security. Thus, almost unconsciously, we prepare the new generations for competition and rivalry.
We live in a society that easily impoverishes people. The need for affection, tenderness, and friendship that pulsates in every human being is satisfied with objects. Communication is replaced by possession of things.
People get used to value themselves for what they own. And in this way, they run the risk of becoming incapable of love, tenderness, generous service, solidarity, and a free sense of life. This society does not help us to grow in friendship, solidarity, and attention to the rights of others.
But there are also many humble people, like the widow of the Gospel, who contribute to the humanization of our society with their simple life of solidarity and generous help to the needy more than so many protagonists of social, political or religious life, able defenders of their interests, their leadership, and their position.
Lord, like the widow of the Gospel, teach me to give with a sincere heart, not to withhold anything You have given me.
The voice of Saint Theresa of Lisieux
The Lord does not look very much at the quantity of what we give, but rather at the love with which we give.
E-mail: srmterzo@gmail.com Website: www.sanbiagio.org info@sanbiagio.org Blog: livingscripture.wordpress.com -Comment: Sr. Yarislet Berrios, FMA
