King over our Checkbook?

Jesus 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 21:3-4

The story in the Gospel of St. Luke about the poor widow giving 2 copper coins is difficult for me to deal with.

Jesus says the widow with her meager offering gave much more than the rich people who put in much more money. It is true, hers was a sacrificial offering. She gave much more than she could afford!

How much did it cost me to give what I gave to the victims of Typhoons Ulysses and Rolly? I have to confess that after what we gave, we still eat good food, and we were still able to pay for cable TV and internet and everything we already consider ‘essential’. Jesus is watching and He definitely won't say, "Patsy gave of her livelihood."

Yesterday was Christ the King Sunday, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in response to the secularism, the atheistic and totalitarian regimes of that time.

Christ came to establish His Kingdom. His Kingdom is not like the Kingdoms of this world. People admire philanthropists who give millions to charity. Would they see, like Jesus, the poor widow who gave 2 copper coins? Would they laud her for it? Mother Teresa was always praising the poor she served. She had witnessed first hand how they were generous with the little that they had. When she would give rice and food, either the mother or a child would run out with half of what Mother Teresa brought to share with another destitute family. Generosity is a Kingdom value. If we want Jesus to reign in our hearts, we have to have him reign over our wallets and checkbooks as well!