Today's Gospel in Art - The widow's mite

The Widow's Mite, by Ricardo Colon 2014 © Ricardo Colon / Christian Art

Gospel of 23rd November 2020 - Luke 21:1-4

As Jesus looked up, he saw rich people putting their offerings into the treasury; then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins, and he said, 'I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them; for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.'

Reflection on the Painting

Jesus noticed how the wealthy people around Him were putting money into the temple treasury. But then He noticed the poor widow who put two small coins into the treasury. Jesus was deeply moved by her loving generosity. He said: 'This poor widow has put in more than any of them'.

Jesus wasn't interested in how much people were giving but rather in the generosity of heart with which these alms were given. She was struggling, after having lost her husband, to make ends meet. And yet, she wanted to give these two coins. She was driven by love and generosity. Jesus knew the heart with which she gave these coins. He knows our hearts too, as we give and serve others. Not one act of kindness we do in His name will be forgotten.

Our contemporary American artist, Richard Colon, depicts today's reading in a clever way. We see scales, held by Christ's pierced hand. The two coins hold more weight than the riches on the other side of the scales. Of course these scales and our Gospel reading today don't just refer to money. It is as much about being generous with our time, initiatives, energy, kindness, talents, and abilities to serve others. It is generosity of heart in every sense that is being addressed here… There is a difference between simply 'giving alms' and fully sharing ourselves.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/615

Christian Art - www.christian.art