Based on a homily from Nov. 10, 2024
As we grow in the spiritual life, we become evermore impoverished by the things of this world. We become evermore open to giving it all for God.
We see how the beautiful architecture, the beautiful art, the beautiful music all help to point our hearts and our minds to that which is good, to God himself. In our churches throughout the diocese, God dwells. He lives here in his Real Presence in the tabernacle before us.
He comes to us in the holy Word of God, which is living and active today and every day. Every time there is a Mass celebrated on the altar, the ordinary bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. God dwells within his temple.
In our Baptism, God made us holy. Just as God comes into his temple, God came into us at Baptism. Every time we open our hearts to grace, every time we go to confession, every sacrament, every fervent prayer, every humble outpouring of our heart, every thanksgiving, every praise, God’s presence grows greater.
We see very clearly in Mark 12:38 how the Scribes and Pharisees were being criticized because they were using their power and their authority in ways that were not pouring themselves out for the service of others. And we see the contrast to that in the widow at Zarephath. We read in 1 Kings 17:10-16 that she has so little left. She’s about to die. She’s ready to prepare her last food because she’s so impoverished. And Elijah the prophet comes and says, make me some cake first. She chose to trust the prophecy of God that he would provide and she made the cake. In the end, God blessed her with a jar of flour and flask of oil that never ran empty.
It’s in poverty that often the greatest holiness happens. Perhaps nowhere in Scripture is this so clearly illustrated than Mark 12:41-44. Rich people were coming into the treasury, bringing their gifts and offerings. There were large sums from the wealthy, but Jesus pointed out that the widow who gave the few coins gave so much more. Why? Because in her poverty, she contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.
The more we open our hearts, the more impoverished we become and the more we grow in holiness. But we must pray for the grace of conversion in our own lives and that of others. We must pray that charity grows ever stronger, that holiness grows ever greater, and what is true, good and beautiful grows ever stronger and darkness is overcome. We must be willing to give from a place of poverty.
The widow’s charity came from a place of poverty, and God blesses that greatly. He has blessed us in our needs, and he continues to bless us when we open our hearts to him. May our lives be filled with love of the Lord. May God dwell in the temple of our soul just as he dwells in the temples throughout our diocese.
God is never outdone in generosity. In every gift we give that costs us much, the reward is great and the fruitfulness is eternal.
