WHAT WE SEE  x  WHAT GOD SEES 

Widows feature prominently in the Bible. Today’s readings showcase two widows as examples of extraordinary generosity. However, we must remember that, in biblical times, widows were not only poor, but also without any security. Indeed, very few were below them on the social and economic pecking order! They were the most marginal of the marginalised and extremely vulnerable. On losing their husbands, they had lost their only means of livelihood and had to depend totally on charity to survive. When you hear the word widow in this weekend’s first reading and gospel, think of poverty, destitution, rags and desperation.

On the surface, both of these two widows appear reckless and foolish, for they give, not from their abundance, but all the meagre means they have for survival.  Certainly in the first reading when the great prophet Elijah asks the widow for food and even in her desperation, she trusts ultimately in God’s goodness.

But it is the gospel account of the widow in the temple that captures my imagination.  

The temple in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus was a busy place.  Thousands of pilgrims were arriving each day. There were people praying, rabbis teaching their students, merchants selling animals for sacrifice and, of course, vendors selling whatever was the first century equivalent of the modern t-shirt and holy hardware.  In the midst of the chaos and crowded activity what Jesus notices is a poor widow. A widow who is probably the most insignificant person in the whole temple area.

Jesus not only notices her, but he knows her story. He knows that she is desperate. He knows that the few coins she puts into the temple treasury are all that she has.  As a widow without family or friends, she was a largely invisible person to the powerful and rich people in the temple area. Yet she pushes her way through the crowd to reach the treasury and offer her two small coins. She believes that God will see her small act of faith. God does. Jesus sees her and loves her.

I think it is a simple and yet subtle reminder that we are never invisible to God! When we find ourselves in desperate situations like the widow, we are tempted to say, “No one knows my pain. No one understands my struggle. No one sees the burden that I carry.”  This weekend’s gospel begs to differ!  

We all carry quiet, personal burdens along our journey.  The relationship that hasn’t flourished, the emptiness caused by past, foolish choices, the bullying at school or work, the derogatory remarks that leave us isolated and completely alone.  We put on a strong face. We try to laugh along with the hurtful remarks, but inside we are afraid.  Afraid of who might turn up and what they might say. We say, “No one knows the fear that I carry”.  Well, perhaps this weekend’s Gospel begs to differ!

The truth is that we are never invisible to God. God sees the burdens that we carry and loves us. Therefore, when we find ourselves in desperate situations like the widow, whatever small steps we can take towards life, whatever weak faith we can offer, whatever small coins we can give, all of these things are of great value. Because, if God sees us and loves us, there is hope!

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