Coins to Offer?
Jesus often tried to get people’s attention to provoke a shift in perspective that aligns with God’s vision for creation and which, hopefully, will lead to corresponding action. In Luke’s gospel about the poor widow’s offering of two coins, Jesus put together people, things, and actions intended to surprise and confuse us.2 Surely Jesus is mistaken about who is giving more. It can’t be the woman who is marginalized because of her gender, poverty, status as a widow, and lack of significance. Of course, the wealthy people who contribute to the treasury must be deemed to give more.
Giving the incident further thought, we note that the widow gives out of her poverty. She can’t give much—only two small coins. Jesus lauds her for how and why she gives. Giving needs to be a matter of the heart. Motivation and sacrifice are significant. We might ask: What coins do I give out of my riches or out of my poverty: time, service of listening and conversing, material things, prayer? Why do I give them? The world of persons, things, events and the Spirit’s energy is a sacred place where God’s loving action is occurring. What coins do I contribute to praise God and participate in God’s ongoing creation? Am I embarrassed and hesitant when I cannot make contributions that others label as noteworthy? Regardless of my lack of funds, what can I give?
The “star” of the episode is an unlikely woman. Jesus’ focus highlights some further considerations. Who are people we overlook or dismiss as unlikely bearers of God’s word and contributors to our own and others’ lives? Surely Christ would make himself more recognizable and acceptable than if he were to walk among us as a cantankerous neighbor, a family member whose ideas do not match mine, a supervisor whose moods keep me on edge and fearful. How do I lessen my worth when I feel “less than” in comparison to other people? In this dark place, am I open to reaching out to others for their “coins” of support?
The generous woman that Jesus recognizes with affirmation nudges all of us to notice, shift perspectives, and respond to challenges to contribute—from our wealth or poverty—to God’s vision for all creation. She encourages us to reach into our pockets for “coins” we can slip into any situation calling for our contribution.
Mary Reuter, OSB
This blog is based on an article by Mary Reuter, OSB, “What Coins Can You Offer?” Sisters Today, July, 1999, 279-280.
2 When he [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 made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Luke 21:1-4—borrowed from Mark 12: 41-44)) The New American Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1987.
