When I noticed the two buds in this flower bunch, my thoughts went back to a narrative of a widow, who offered two copper coins in the treasury of the synagogue, about which Jesus of Nazareth made an observation: '...she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on' and others, ' put in from their surplus into the offering'. According to Jesus, the poor widow had 'put in more than all the others'. ( Luke 21: 1-4).
Many offered from the surplus they had. A poor widow offered all she
had to live on !
The financial model that is currently advocated is to create surplus and wealth for personal benefit. Most pursue that as the pathway to life! Some generate income for spending it on social benefits.
The United States of America abandoned recently the medicare facility to save money. This who were weaker economically who benefited from this now are a great loss. The USA stopped the US Aid support earlier and now withdrew the Medicare facility!A disturbing scenario to suggest that the political leadership favours to prosper personal prosperity and not a social prosperity !
Jesus told the parable about a rich man who had a good harvest of grains, who decided to enlarge his barns to store the grain to live merrily in the future. His was an orientation towards wealth and riches.(Luke 12: 13-21)
I wondered what the two copper coins might be symbol of, for me to consider! For the widow, they were not her savings, but all that she had to live on.
Did they mean representing her identity as a poor widow, who for various reasons at that time, would have been the least person to be considered worthy of! A woman and a widow do not receive the honour as others receive. She might have been in a despised situation in the sights of others. This mantle of compulsive behaviour of others that fell on her was a daily reality for her.
The other reality was her struggle to be in such an inhospitable situation. The burden of living was truly upon her. A widowed person was at the temple in desperation to find her direction and blessing.
The rose flower and the two buds have a temporary presence in the garden! During their presence they are part of the garden adding colour and richness to the garden. The poor widow felt alienated and excluded from being of value.
I feel inclined to think that this woman offered herself to be present to God amidst the tentativeness and transitoriness of life. She carried a burdened soul and offered it to God! Whom else she could offer her inner turmoil except to God who wait to receive those who 'walk through the valley of shadow of death' !
It was this inner distress and openness to God, that Jesus recognised in her and complemented her for her desire to seek refuge in God.
Her pursuit was Godward in her desperate situation socially and economically!
What might be this Godward orientation!
Jesus of Nazareth and said in one of His public discourses: ' Come to me, all who are weary, and heavy laden, and I will you rest (Matthew 11:28). That was what the widow did.
The widow's orientation was towards God and to seek His ways for her!
I watch this sunbird, which comes to our garden in the morning on most days to receive nectar from flowers. It lives by receiving!
The poor widow offered to live by giving herself and her burdens to God! She prepared herself to receive!
That is the first step towards receiving beyond, what we would have found normally!
The surplus or wealth is the trap! It creates a passion to create more surplus and to have our eyes fixed on it!
The wealth of God's ways is what would not perish! To live with what is given and share a portion of that for others in need become an option to consider as the orientation in life!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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