Today’s Scripture Readings

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

Imagine Jesus sitting in the temple observing this poor widow making her offering. Not only did He observe the amount of her offering, but her sincerity of heart, in giving all that she had. This moved Him. She wasn’t there to impress, to attract attention, but to place her trust in God’s Providence – a true model of hope and trust.

What does Jesus see when He observes us in His Father’s house? Are our actions pleasing to God or to ourselves? God’s measure isn’t according to our social status, financial or academic success or noticeable achievements, but according to the quality of our interior values and readiness to give unconditionally. Dying to moments of pride and self-absorption, knowing what really matters and adjusting our focus to living with a Spirit-led mindset will transform ourselves and in turn, the world. Living the Paschal Mystery becomes the cornerstone of the Christian life.

This hope and trust in Christ are shown through the example of St Andrew Dung-Lac and the 117 martyred Companions whose memorial is celebrated today, as well as the great multitude of Vietnamese persecuted and killed for their faith over many years. This ‘great cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1) all knew what really mattered… only Christ. Their model of giving everything, even their very own life, is a priceless model of perfect hope, perfect trust.

Let us seek to have the heart of the widow and all Christian martyrs, who have given everything for Christ.