Readings
I - Dan. 1: 1-6, 8-20
II - Lk. 21: 1-4
St. Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr (Memorial)
THE 3G GIVERS
There are three types of givers: the greedy givers, the grumpy givers and the generous givers.
The greedy givers are those who give their offering, from their abundance, only with the intention of attracting the attention of the people around, so as to gain their glory, honour, appreciation and praises for them. The Pharisees in today’s Gospel passage contributed from their abundance solely to gain glory in the sight of those people around them.
The grumpy givers are those who made their offering as a fulfillment of their obligation, may be the tithe (1/10th of their earning) or any other obligatory offering. They offered no more or no less but exactly what was prescribed.
The generous givers are those who offered willingly all that out of their love for God. The poor widow of the Gospel passage, offered all that she had for her existence out of her love for her God and the temple. We wonder whether she knew that she was appreciated by Jesus before all men in the temple. This Gospel passage is an invitation to imbibe this attitude of the poor widow in giving and sharing.
Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Cecilia, the patroness of music and musicians who offered herself to the Lord with all her heart, body and soul. May the saint of the day, help us to become generous givers counting not the cost but all for the love of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be a generous giver like the poor widow”.
