We live in such rich abundance that sometimes we forget to give thanks to the Creator of it all. When we slow down and find ways to give praise to God in thanksgiving then a new path opens before us. This path is oriented to all the things God cares about.

Jesus is concluding his teaching in Jerusalem and his followers are amazed at the temple and its grandeur. He tells them it will all be coming down. The road will be difficult and there will be temptations to pursue other paths. But staying the path of Jesus leads us to the path of God’s transformation in the world.

Jesus continues teaching in Jerusalem in the last week of his life which focuses and highlights these teachings.  God pours blessings out upon each of us.  The question in this teaching of Jesus is how will we respond.  We want to feel comfortable and secure.  Jesus does not condemn the gifts of the wealthy.  He points out that their gifts do not change their comfort or security.  The widow on the other hand displays total and complete trust and dependence on God.  If we choose, our giving can change our lives through a move to complete trust and dependence on God. 

Jesus says the “Greatest Commandment” is to love God with our whole being and neighbors as ourselves. Love in the New Testament is often a verb and implies action on our part. This action is driven not by emotion but by our choice to act in ways that seek the wellbeing of others. Fear and worry that we are not worthy often get in the way of our making this decision. When we recognize that we make a life by what we give, the barriers are removed and we can give freely of ourselves to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors through love.