Location: San Fernando Cathedral
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s readings invite us to ponder the generosity of God, which is both boundless and deeply personal, extended to each of us through Jesus Christ. As we reflect on these passages, we are reminded that God’s grace often comes to us through people in our lives who reflect His mercy, goodness, and faithfulness.
In the first reading, from the book of Kings, we hear of the widow of Zarephath, a woman of very limited means, who nevertheless offered the little she had to the prophet Elijah. This act of faith, hope, and love, despite her poverty, becomes a beautiful witness to God’s providence. Through Elijah, God provides for her and her son, ensuring their survival. The story reveals how, in our smallest offerings, when given with trust in God, we invite His generous love to fill us and work through us. Like the widow, who had almost nothing, we are called to give from our hearts, trusting that God will provide for us in ways we cannot foresee.
In the Gospel, Jesus draws our attention to another widow, who places two small coins into the temple treasury. Her gift might appear insignificant to others, but to Jesus, it is everything. He sees the depth of her faith and her willingness to give her very self to God. Through her simple act, this poor widow embodies the essence of true worship, which is not of grandeur, but of the heart. Jesus contrasts her generosity with those who give from their surplus, challenging us to consider what it means to give fully of ourselves, in faith and humility.
And finally, in the letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded that Jesus is our eternal Advocate, offering Himself in the heavenly sanctuary. Christ’s sacrifice is the ultimate act of love – a gift given once, for all time, which continues to open the way for us to experience the fullness of God’s grace. It reminds us that true generosity is rooted in a self-giving love, and we are encouraged to respond with our own acts of faith and service. Pope Francis, in his new encyclical, Dilexit Nos, says, “The knowledge that we are loved, and our complete confidence in that love, in no way lessens our desire to respond generously, despite our frailty and our many shortcomings.”
Today, let us pray for the grace to reflect God’s generosity in our lives. May we, like the widows of Scripture, offer not just what is convenient, but our whole hearts to God and each other. In doing so, may Our Lady of Guadalupe help us become vessels of God’s love, revealing His presence in the lives of those we encounter.
