Gospel Sharing: 23 Nov 2020
We’ve heard this gospel passage many times and we interpret it like this: that I am invited to give all that I have for the Lord. Whether I have much or little, I should give. Because if I give my all, God will be happy. God will be pleased if I offer all that I have. In this perspective, the focus is “I.” I would like us to observe on the two actions of Jesus: he looked up, and he noticed. These two actions shift our focus on Him as the subject and us as the object. Jesus looked up and saw some wealthy people; Jesus noticed a poor widow.
First point: when Jesus looks, everything becomes different. The usage of the word “look” in the gospel today is quite unusual. Its equivalent in Hebrew is anablepō and was used in the stories of: Jesus looking up to heaven, blessing the break, and feeding the multitude. He looked up to heaven and eventually said ephphatha then sight was regained. He looked up at Zacchaeus and he was transformed. It is only in this today’s gospel that the word anablepō was used for Jesus to look at the wealthy men. Could this mean that Jesus is posing an invitation for change for all those people who are able, for people in authority? Or maybe also for people who are already giving? After all the Scripture says, “from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.”
Second point: Jesus notices even the smallest of things. Our gospel is a continuation of the readings of last week. Meaning to say, Jesus finished cleansing the temple and have been in serious discussion with those unbelievers of the resurrection. My hunch is, is that Jesus is already tired. Probably a lot of people were there chatting, also maybe having some discussions again. Exhausted from all the activities, he rested his eyes, like how we do: we bow down our heads and eyes fixed on the ground. Then he “looked up” (anablepō) from a far and saw the wealthy dropping their offerings. His eyes roam around the busy scene. And then he notices the widow. Is it unusual to see a widow? Our gospel story takes place in the court of women, we could say this is the usual hang out for the widows and all other women. The place women can reach nearest the inner temple. And so it shouldn’t be bizarre to see a woman here. But what makes it special is that, how St Luke with his accuracy of the details being a physician, notes that Jesus notices not just the woman, but also the two small coins the widow offered. One can argue: based on the tinkling sound coins make when coins are dropped. But remember that in the court of women, people flock this area because here is where everyone gives their offering, lots of people, noisy. And yet Jesus notices her and more so notices the little that she gave. The second point: Jesus notices us, and the good, even if it is little, that we all do.
Let us not grow weary in doing the little good that we do. Others might now acknowledge it, but Jesus notices it.
- Maybe we think the praying for our confrere’s health, or for his vocation like what Fr Alfie mentioned last night, or for his birthday or anniversary is “wala lang,” but maybe Jesus notices it.
- Maybe we think assisting ate Ana in carrying the clothes to be washed is “wala lang,” but maybe Jesus notices it.
- Maybe we think sitting beside Macky or Aaron who are not as warm and affectionate as those with Down Syndrome is “wala lang,” but maybe Jesus notices it.
- Maybe the simple asking of how our confrere or companion is doing is “wala lang” for us, but maybe Jesus notices it.
As we draw to the end of this liturgical year, may we be reminded to never stop doing the good that we do. Jesus notices it.
On a sadder note, you might have heard how the McCarrick Report has left questions on how the Curia has been corrupt. How the late John Paull the II, now a saint, and Benedict XVI are being blamed because of McCarrick’s rise in the hierarchy. I go back to my second point: Jesus notices. Jesus sees all of us. He sees the pain of each victim. Even those who are losing faith in what has happening. He sees Theodore McCarrick as well. Jesus notices how seminarians strive to be better each day. Jesus notices His Church is bleeding. And maybe we need to look at Jesus once again so similar to the poor widow: we can offer our whole livelihood. Like the Psalmist, we cry out: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
