November 7, 2021: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Even with large donations at the Temple treasury, Jesus commends the act of a widow who contributes a small amount, but with great cost, as she gives, out of her poverty, all she had, "her whole livelihood", as Jesus describes.

God just as well honors the acts of a widow who Elijah visits in Zarephath.  She had faith that God would provide, and so she offers something to Elijah, whose words come true, when her jug of oil and her jar of flour don't run dry for a year, until the famine ends.

God honors these sacrificial acts that cost the giver much, because it demonstrates how Christ gave of Himself completely on the Cross to redeem us from sin.  We follow His way now, trusting in Him, and give of ourselves in the name of our Savior.  And as we draw toward the end of the liturgical year, and ponder the end of Time, we long for Christ to come again and bring the fullness of salvation that He has won for us by His offering.  And we see signs of this salvation as live, mindful of His coming, by living His example, especially for the least among us.

I attended Mass at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Chicago's Austin neighborhood today.  The pastor, Father Thadeo, talked at length in his homily about St. Martin, whose feast day was on November 3.  St. Martin is a great example of what it means to give of oneself in the spirit of Christ's sacrificial offering of Himself.