The Presentation of Mary

 Luke 21: 1-4

The Widow’s Offering

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

This Gospel at first appears to have nothing to do with today's Memorial of the Presentation of Mary in the temple as a young child by her parents Joachim and Anne, but when we look closer we do see a parallel.  The widow, as poor as she was, gave "all she had to live on." to the temple.  Mary, certainly gave all she had to become the mother of Jesus, a blessing attached to much suffering, yet she was willing to give herself totally to God's plan, and evidently to us, as her many apparitions throughout history bear testimony that she wants nothing more than for us to know and love her son.  We, as Marists, are dedicated to that same end;  may we rededicate ourselves to it today and make it the foremost use of our time and energy.

Bro.Rene

Spirit of Love, inspire us to give all we are and all we have to the building of your kingdom. Help us to realize that any abundance we have is not for our own good, but for the good of others. May we learn to enter into the spirit of the widow who gave her all so that others might benefit, even in her poverty. Divest us of anything that might slow us in the building of those places where you live and reign, Amen.

 Rev. Steven Newton, C.S.C.