November 25, 2019

Monday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings for Today

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial

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

Did she really give more than all the rest? According to Jesus, she did! So how can that be? This Gospel passage reveals to us how God sees our giving compared to the worldly view.

What is giving and generosity all about? Is it about how much money we have? Or is it something deeper, something more interior? Certainly it is the latter.

Giving, in this case, is in reference to money. But this is simply an illustration of all forms of giving we are called to offer. For example, we are also called to give of our time and talents to God for the love of others, the upbuilding of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel.

Look at giving from this perspective. Consider the giving of some of the great saints who lived hidden lives. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, for example, gave her life to Christ in countless small ways. She lived within the walls of her convent and had little interaction with the world. Therefore, from a worldly perspective, she gave very little and made little difference. However, today she is considered one of the greatest doctors of the Church thanks to the small gift of her spiritual autobiography and the witness of her life.

The same may be able to be said of you. Perhaps you are one who is busy with what seems to be small and insignificant daily tasks. Perhaps cooking, cleaning, caring for the family and the like occupy your day. Or perhaps your employment takes up most of what you do each day and you find you have little time left for “great” things offered to Christ. The question is really this: How does God see your daily service?

Reflect, today, on your calling in life. Perhaps you are not called to go forth and do “great things” from a public and worldly perspective. Or perhaps you do not even do “great things” that are visible within the Church. But what God sees are the daily acts of love you do in the smallest of ways. Embracing your daily duty, loving your family, offering daily prayers, etc., are treasures that you can offer God every day. He sees these and, most importantly, He sees the love and devotion with which you do them. So do not give in to a false and worldly notion of greatness. Do small things with great love and you will be giving an abundance to God in service of His holy will.

Lord, I give myself to You and to Your service this day and every day. May I do all I am called to do with great love. Please continue to show me my daily duty and help me to embrace that duty in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Saint of the Day – Saint Catherine of Alexandria

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