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 advocated is to create surplus and wealth. Most pursue that as the pathway to life!
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 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 others offered to 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.
I feel inclined to think that this woman offered herself to be present to God amidst the tentativeness and transitoriness of life.
It was this inner composure and openness to God, Jesus recognised in her and complemented.
He pursuit was Godward in her desperate situation socially and economically!
Wha might be this Godward orientation!
She presented her helplessness and need in her offering to God. The two coins were symbols of burdens she carried and brought them to God, seeking His favour upon her.
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.
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)
The widow's orientation was towards God and what He would offer!
I watch this sunbird come 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 possessions 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!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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