Date: Sunday, November 08, 2015
Awhile back I saw a photo of Dorothy Day, sitting in a niche, reading the Psalms. Pope Francis pointed her out as an inspirational American Catholic who devoted her life in care for the poor. The Church selects two readings today (Book of Kings and Gospel according to St. Mark) to call our attention to two women, very poor and unnamed. A widow prepares a last meal for her and her son yet extends hospitality to a stranger – the prophet Elijah. A widow in the Court of Women in the Temple offers two copper coins. Jesus remarks that she has given more than all the rest; they from their surplus, she from her poverty, her livelihood. These two widows are example of stewardship. Stewardship is much more than giving money. Stewardship is both a disposition of faith and a way of life. Stewardship is living with awareness, gratitude and generosity. All of us are poor. Is there anything that we can claim as our own possession? Aware of our insignificance, we are also conscious of divine providence, God’s blessings, and the bounty of the earth – our common home. It has been said: “If our only prayer is ‘thank you’, it is sufficient.” Gratitude lends itself to generosity and sharing. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus as the High Priest offering himself on the cross, once for all, to take away our sins and to bring salvation to all who eagerly await his return. Jesus is our model for stewardship!