Times can be tough, downright difficult, sometimes seemingly impossible.  Natural disasters can turn our world upside down.  They are often most difficult to accept because they do not affect everyone in the same way.  During a natural disaster we see how one family can lose their home and the family across the street is untouched.  When the federal aid representatives come to survey the area some people receive the help they need and others do not.  It just doesn’t seem fair and it can be very difficult to accept.  During most natural disasters it is the poor who suffer the most.  The poor are usually living on a small margin of safety, they do not carry the insurance the rich carry, they do not have the savings to fall back on, they do not have other alternatives to fall back on, and often they find it difficult to navigate the bureaucracy that is needed to get the federal aid that they need.

     The recent storms caused great damage in some areas of our country.  In many cases in these areas it was the poor that were most adversely affected.  Many poor families lost their homes and all that they had.  At these times we ask what we can do to be of help to those who suffered so much loss? That is what we are called to do in difficult times.  We are called to help one another and share our blessings with those who are suffering and in greater need.

     In light of these recent events we can understand the difficulty of the widow of Zarephath during the time of draught that was afflicting the region of Israel.  Like most natural disasters, she was one of the poor that was suffering greatly during this difficult time.  She and her son were on the verge of death and yet she opened her home to Elijah the prophet.  She shared her meager sustenance with the prophet and God blessed her for her generosity.  Even when she had very little to give she shared what she had with others.  She entrusted her life to God and to his promise of providential care.

     There is a story of a federal aid provider who was surveying an area which had suffered considerable damage during a storm.  He came to the home of a widow which was in poor condition and he went into the widow to offer her federal aid.  He asked her what she would do with the federal aid that the government could provide for her.  She answered that she would give it to the poor.  That is the generosity that God is looking for from his children.  They think not of their own needs but are looking to share what blessings they have with others who are more in need.

     Jesus witnesses this in the widow who makes her offering today at the Temple.  She is only able to make a small offering of a few coins but she gives out of her need rather than out of her surplus wealth.  She is not expecting something in return for her gift.  Her gift glorifies God because it is a pure offering which demonstrates her trust in God and her concern for others.

     Our readings today challenge us to examine our own giving in stewardship to the Lord.  Do we give only what we can afford and what is leftover after we have taken care of ourselves and our own needs or do we give generously to the Lord as an act of trust in God’s providence and care.  We are called by God to be generous and cheerful givers, offering a portion of our own blessings for the care of others.  We are called to give out of a sense of thanksgiving and trust in the goodness of our Lord.  Our brothers and sisters in need are depending on our generous offering, no matter how small it may be.  It should always be a sacrifice that we offer out of love.

     Let us pray for the grace to have generous hearts in our giving during the difficult times that we live in today.  Let us not think only of ourselves and our own needs but give with thankful hearts to our gracious and generous God.  We don’t want to just build up our own bank accounts and savings but rather use the blessings that God gives us to build up his kingdom on earth.  Pray we be inspired as Jesus was inspired today to a greater response of sacrificial giving in our lives.