This poor widow, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood. (Luke 21:3-4)
What are my poverties?
This is the question I reflected with after reading today’s gospel (Luke 21:1-4). I can’t say it is fun to reflect with this question—in fact, I really don’t like my poverties. But, I believe we must go there if we are to meet our God who became poor for us. And, if you are reading this reflection, I gather you want to come closer to Jesus as I do.
So, I’ll go first. What are my poverties?
Limited energy, limited physical ability to love my children and husband as they want to be loved, temptation to bitterness, temptation to compare, temptation toward anxiety, speaking first instead of listening.
There are more, but these are a few to get us started.
Reflecting on my poverties makes me quickly say, “Lord, I need you.” I need you to be loving, kind, forgiving, trusting, generous, and good. With you, I find energy, peace, joy, freedom, and cheerful giving. But, it’s hard for me to give myself over to you. To open my heart when I want to batten down the hatches and do it myself.
What can we say and do when we’d rather not be so vulnerable with Jesus?
We can say, “Help me Lord to trust.” Not just in the big moments, but more so in the small ones that make up each day.
Help me to trust you when a relationship sparks insecurity.
Help me to trust you when I want my way more than anything else.
Help me to trust you when I feel tired and at capacity with loving the ones you have given me.
Help me to trust you when my wounds and anxieties affect how I communicate and act.
Lord, teach us to give like the widow, trusting that you provide in every way.