Gospel in Art: Jesus noticed a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins

The Widow's Mite, painted by William Teulon Blandford Fletcher, (1858-1936) 1890 © Worcester City Museums, England

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 27 November 2023
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

Our painting from 1890 is by William Teulon Blandfold Fletcher. Son of a linen draper, he studied at South Kensington School of Art, London, from the of age sixteen to twenty. He painted charming genre scenes, such as today's church interior. We see a widow dressed in dark colours putting in her coins into the offertory box. One hand is dropping the coins; the other hand is piously held close to her heart. Her intent has purity of heart. Her son, holding his hat under his right arm, is looking away. A well- groomed man sits, pensively looking on. He could well be one of the rich people who are also mentioned in our short Gospel reading. A book of Scripture is displayed on a wood carved lectern. What is particularly well rendered is the floor. The various coloured tiles added over different ages are juxtaposed to create a functional church floor. The tiles reflect how generations past have built our churches, yet the future is in our hands, to look after and protect these sacred buildings.

November is a month when we remember those who have died. Every day here in our church in London many widows and widowers are remembering their deceased spouses. Several widows are mentioned in the gospels, especially in the gospel of Luke from which we are reading today. They are always portrayed in a very positive light by Luke. For example, there is Anna, the 84 year old widow, who worshipped in the temple with prayer and fasting night and day. Then there is the widow in the parable Jesus gave us who wore down an unjust judge until she eventually got what she was entitled to. In our reading today we have another widow who is singled out by Jesus for her extraordinary generosity. She was indeed poor, couldn't afford much, yet contributed as much as she could. What she contributed to the Temple treasury seemed very little indeed, just two small coins. Yet, Jesus spotted her generosity and praised it.

Even though she gave little, in reality she gave everything! The quality of her giving was extraordinary, even though the quantity she gave was tiny. Indeed, quantity isn't always a good indicator of quality. That is true in a more general sense, not just in a monetary terms. Especially as we get older and frailer, we will have less to give. Our health can be poorer, our imagination can be less creative and our energy levels can be lower. Yet, if we give generously out of the little we have, the Lord will recognise something of the quality of his own spirit in us.

On the cross, Jesus had nothing to give; everything had been taken from him. Yet, it was at that very moment that he was giving everything.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-1-4-2023/