Reflection

In Jesus’ time, there were 13 horn-shaped boxes in the Temple treasury where people would place their offerings. This treasury was located in the Court of the Women, an area in the Temple open to everyone. The way offerings were made at the Temple was quite different from modern church practices. Donors would publicly declare the amount and purpose of their gift, which allowed wealthy people to brag about how much they donated. 

In today’s gospel, Jesus sits down across from the treasury and watches the crowd donate money. He notices many wealthy people giving large sums. Then, a widow comes forth and donates two copper coins, known as lepton, the smallest currency used in 1st century Palestine. When we hear the word widow, it’s important to consider its social and cultural implications. 

In Hebrew, the word for widow means either ‘leftover pieces’ or ‘silenced ones.’ Implying someone unable to speak or express themselves. In a society where men occupied public roles, and women could not speak on their behalf, the position of a widow was extremely vulnerable, particularly if her eldest son was not yet married. If a widow had no son, her only option might be to return to her paternal family if they could take her in. Younger widows were often seen as a potential threat to the community and were urged to remarry. Widows symbolized those oppressed and exploited by society.  

In today’s reading from the Hebrew scripture, we learn about the lives of two widows, Ruth and Naomi, and see how the world offers them little support. The nameless widow in today’s Gospel is no exception. When their husbands died, the social, economic, cultural, and religious structures that supported them collapsed. And yet, these three women refuse to be victims. From them, we witness and learn about faithfulness, loyalty, hope, and the courage needed for survival.

Today’s gospel draws a contrast between the wealthy, who give large sums of money, and a poor widow, who offers only two small coins. Jesus calls his disciples and explains that this poor woman has given more than anyone else. He says, “All of them contributed out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” In doing so, she has, in essence, offered her whole life.

This story has traditionally been interpreted by many preachers as an example of sacrificial giving. However, because there is no further mention of this woman and because Jesus speaks about the destruction of the Temple immediately after today’s passage, some scholars have begun re-evaluating the traditional interpretation to explore alternative perspectives. 

They argue that Jesus doesn’t seem to present this woman as a role model for giving. Jesus neither praises her nor criticizes her for being seemingly unwise. Instead, scholars suggest that she symbolizes the ongoing exploitation of the poor by the Temple elite, especially the scribes. 

These scribes put on a show – walking around in fancy robes, looking for public praise, taking the best seats in synagogues and at banquets, and saying long prayers to hide their ruthless exploitation of the poor. They are accused of taking advantage of vulnerable widows, who should have been protected by society. 

Regarding offering and giving, St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God sees deep within us and is pleased by a sincere heart. In today’s passage, Jesus implies that our offering should come from pure and joyful hearts, regardless of the amount donated. We should give without boasting or feeling pressured. 

Adele Halliday, who serves as the team leader for discipleship and witness for The United Church of Canada, shared a memorable story from her visit to a small village in Kenya. One Sunday morning, she attended a local church service. After the offering time ended and collection plates were already at the front, an elderly woman stood up and began walking slowly down the aisle toward the front of the sanctuary. Everyone watched in silence, curious to see what would happen. When she reached the offering plates, she carefully placed her gift – two eggs she had gathered from her hen that morning. The woman was so poor that she had no money to give, yet, she offered the two perfect eggs she had, giving what she could.

But the story doesn’t end there. It continues. 

“After church that day, the community held what is called a Harambee – a fundraiser, where people bring items to sell, and the proceeds go to support the church’s ministry. The two eggs the woman had offered during worship were eventually sold at that Harambee. It was only two eggs – something I could buy at the market for just a few cents. But the community knew this woman and understood the incredible gift she was offering. And so, those two eggs were sold for over ten dollars – more than some people would earn in an entire week!

The woman’s simple gift was given with pure love. It was received with great mercy by her loving neighbors, who recognized its true value during Harambee. It was never really about the eggs. It was about giving and receiving, about mercy and love, about grace, and about offering what you can to both friends and strangers. It’s about trusting that your community will support you when you give of yourself to others.

The word harambee is a Kiswahili them that means “let’s all pull together,” not simply “fundraiser.” And that day, the entire community truly pulled together in an extraordinary way. I never learned the name of this woman, but her story has stayed with me for many years. This woman, this stranger, taught me a lesson that I will never forget.” (Adele Halliday, The Offering, Seasons of the Spirit, Pen 2 2021)  

This is such a moving story! I don’t know whether this elderly, poor woman was a widow – she may have been – but it doesn’t matter. What mattered to them, and what matters to us, is the love and hope that she brought to her faith community. Like the poor widow in today’s gospel, she offered more than all the others who gave. Most gave out of their abundance, but she gave from her poverty. Yet, her offering of love brought about an extraordinary transformation, turning two eggs into ten dollars – more than a week’s earnings for them. This tells us that her humble gift was not just an offering of food but a profound act of love for God and her neighbors.

While we may not live in the same time as these women, our society continues to overlook the suffering of widows and poor women. Throughout the history of the church, there have undoubtedly been many such women in our faith communities – especially those whose husbands, sons, and brothers perished in wars and places of conflict. We remember them all, honouring their faithfulness, loyalty, and dedication to God and the people in their community. 

Today is Remembrance Sunday, a day to honour those who gave their lives for our freedom and peace. We remember their sacrificial love and unwavering dedication to our nation and its people. We live in peace and freedom because of their sacrifice. Similarly, we also remember the women who gave themselves with pure hearts and sacrificial love to serve God and their faith communities. Their small offerings, like the widow’s mite, became mighty, and their pain and sorrow transformed into joy. Thanks be to God for these mighty women! May their example of selfless giving inspire us to carry on their legacy through our own acts of love and service. Amen.