Giving All We Are

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, November 10th, 2024:
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

---

Mark
​12.41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

In Mark’s Gospel, we read about the poor widow who gives two small coins at the temple. Though it seems insignificant compared to the larger sums given by the wealthy, Jesus praises her above all, saying that she gave more because she gave “all she had to live on.”

As a mother, this story resonates with me on a deep level. I experience motherhood as a constant act of giving, often from a place of exhaustion and sometimes from a feeling that I have little left to offer. Whether it's our time, energy or resources, motherhood demands much of mothers, often without visible recognition or reward. Like the widow, we frequently give from "all we have" – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The widow’s story teaches us that God doesn’t measure the size of our offering but the heart behind it. The daily sacrifices of motherhood – whether it’s a sleepless night, the patience shown during a difficult day, or the simple act of nurturing a child – are deeply valued by God. Even when our efforts seem small or unnoticed, He sees the love and faith poured into each act.
Motherhood is also an act of faith, much like the widow’s offering. There are moments when it feels as if we're giving from a place of lack, unsure if we have anything left to give. Yet God is present in those moments, sustaining us and using our seemingly small contributions to shape and bless the lives of our children.

As we reflect on this passage, let it encourage us to trust that our sacrifices – no matter how small – are significant in God's eyes. As with the widow, He sees and cherishes our faith and devotion. And just as she trusted God to provide, we can trust Him to multiply the fruits of our love and efforts in ways that impact our families for generations.




Theresa Langley​

---