marketplace; and who like to occupy reserved seats in the synagogues; and the
first places at feasts. They even devour the widow’s and the orphan’s goods, while
making a show of long prayers. How severe a sentence they will receive!”

Jesus sat down opposite the temple treasury, and watched the people dropping money
into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings. But a poor widow also
came and dropped in two small coins.

Then, Jesus called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put
in more than all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty; but she
gave from her poverty, and put in everything she had, her very living.”

Reflect

What does God want from me? It ’s a question that most of us have asked at some point in
our lives. Fortunately, today’s first reading offers a sort of instruction manual to help us.

The first thing we should offer to God is our praise and gratitude. Indeed, gratitude is the work
of a disciple’s heart. We recognize that all we have is gift and grace. Our gratitude should result
in our giving praise and witness to God’s goodness. We proclaim our faith in God and his activity
in our lives.

With gratitude and witness in our hearts, God wants us to go forth to do the work of God: prayer,
fasting, almsgiving, and acts of justice. A disciple’s life is marked by prayer. We cannot live as
God wishes us to live unless we develop the habit of spending time with the Lord, listening to
him. Fasting helps us to discipline ourselves and learn to rely on God. Finally, we are called to
perform acts of charity (almsgiving) and justice. Thus, God wants us to help our neighbors in
need and strive to improve the social condition so that all can live in dignity and peace.

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