DANGAL NG PAGBIBIGAY

"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." — Mark 12:43-44

What are you willing to give in the name of love? This is a question that deserves not an answer but a response. And this is what our gospel for this Sunday would like us to understand — the things we do for love, the things we do for God!

The words that Jesus expressed radically explains the true meaning of kindness and generosity that defines a real disciple, an act that reveals a sacrifice for love. In our gospel, Jesus praised and affirmed the widow who offered his modest contribution in the temple. Because while the rest are giving out of their excesses, this widow contributed out of her poverty.

As Christians, each one of us is invited to be like this poor widow who never hesitates to live out what generosity is, what charity is. Her generosity comes from her selfless giving, even if it means giving up all that she has. All because of her love for God.The widow was giving not only a little amount, she was actually offering her whole life.

Our motive is important in our acts of giving. May mga mayayamang oo nga't naghahandog at nagbabahagi ng malalaking halaga para sa simbahan o para makatulong sa kapwa subalit maliit na bahagi lamang ito ng kanilang kabuuang yaman at minsan ginagawa nila ito para lang ipakita sa iba ang kanilang panlabas na kabutihang-loob. So why do we share to others what we have? Ito ba ay upang ipakita sa iba na tayo ay mabuti katulad ng mayayamang malaki ang ibinigay o upang ipakita natin sa Diyos ang ating kagustuhang isabuhay at sundin ang kanyang kalooban katulad ng ginawa ng biyuda?

It is not so much about how expensive our gifts are that measures generosity; it is in giving genuinely and wholeheartedly, no matter how little it may appear to be, that measures charity. Hindi sa laki ng yamang inihahandog nasusukat ang kagandahang-loob, kundi sa pagbibigay nang tapat at nagmumula sa pusong dalisay at hindi makasarili. No matter how small, for as long as we put our hearts into it, and we give it with humility, God will surely be proud of our gestures of goodness. Alalahanin natin na ang tunay na pagbibigay ay hindi nagmumula sa kung anong meron tayo, kundi sa kung ano ang kaya nating ialay at isakripisyo para sa pagmamahal, at para sa Diyos. Dahil minsan, hindi sinusukat ng Diyos ang ating binibigay, kundi kung ano ang tinitira natin sa ating sarili. 

Our inadequacies are a holy space for God's grace. Besides, it is not primarily money, wealth, and other material possessions that we should offer to God. Whatever graces and blessings we receive, whatever talent and giftedness we have, with all the time and opportunity in the world that we have, if we make use and offer them in humility and graciousness to God, we are already doing enough. In a heart that is willing to give, in a life that is willing to be shared, there lies a real encounter, a genuine act of giving. And that is our most significant participation in God's mission here on earth. Let us remember that no one is so poor to be able to give, and no one is so rich to be living without a need for others. 

Let us be like the widow in her willingness to give all that she has. She may have been poor, but her love is so rich and plentiful. May our hearts be awakened by the example of the poor widow who has given her life, her resources to glorify the Lord. May we never get tired of expressing generosity and charity in our personal capacity; let it be our share in God's mission. May we encounter the heart of Jesus in our genuine acts of generosity and love towards God, towards one another, towards the poor. Thus, allowing our lives to become a foretaste of the Kingdom God has promised for all.
So, let us ask ourselves again: what am I willing to give in the name of love? 

PS: Share the Love; Spread the Gospel Vibe!
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