Gospel in Art: The poor widow came and put in two small copper coins

Escape from Criticism by Pere Borrell del Caso, 1874 oil on canvas © Collection Banco de España, Madrid

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 6 June 2026
Mark 12:38-44

At that time: In his teaching Jesus said to the crowd, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the market-places, and have the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honour at feasts, who devour widows' houses, and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel, Jesus warns the crowds about the scribes, religious men who loved honour. They would likely have looked down upon the poor widow in the Temple, judging her insignificance and perhaps even criticising the tiny offering she placed into the treasury. It is a temptation that still lives within all of us. We can so easily become critical of others, measuring people by appearances, achievements, status, or wealth. Yet Jesus sees differently. While others overlooked the widow, He noticed her completely. The poor widow becomes a great teacher to us all. We know nothing about her background or her life, yet through her quiet action she asks each of us a searching question: are we willing truly to give ourselves, or do we only give what is comfortable to spare?

Most of us give something of ourselves, but we often hold much back. We share only up to a certain point - a point we ourselves define and carefully control. The widow, however, gives completely. Her offering is small in monetary value, yet immense in love and trust. In placing her two small coins into the treasury, she places her whole life into God's hands. That is the challenge of today's Gospel. Giving ourselves to God means more than offering Him leftovers from our time, talents, or energy! Once we understand this, we move from the darkness of holding much of ourselves back, into the full light of Christ.

That movement from darkness into new life is beautifully captured in our painting by Pere Borrell del Caso, titled Escape from Criticism, painted in 1874. A barefoot boy appears to climb out of the canvas itself, struggling free from the dark background behind him and entering into our own space. His eyes are wide with wonder, as though he has just discovered an entirely new world beyond the confined reality he once knew. The painting is often understood as the artist's own cry against the harsh criticism he endured from the so-called "experts" and art critics of his day. Yet the image speaks spiritually too. Like the boy emerging from the darkness, the Gospel invites us to break free from criticising others and value people even if they only have very little to offer. The widow stepped beyond calculation and gave herself entirely to God. And perhaps only when we dare to do the same do we finally begin to discover the wonder and freedom of a life fully entrusted to Him.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-12-38-44-2026/
Video: How art called me to the priesthood: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55096