A Generous Heart
(1 Kgs.17:10-16; Heb.9:24-28; Mk.12:38-44)
All over Italy, there’s a well-loved tradition known as La Passeggiata.
At certain hours after work and on weekends, people of all ages go out for a casual stroll around their local area. This is a great time for people-watching, so they tend to dress up – fare bella figura. It’s also an important time for talking, laughing and building community.
But sometimes, if you look, you’ll see un uomo che si pavoneggia – a well-dressed man strutting about like a peacock. He’s not much interested in building community; he’s trying to draw attention to himself.
There are people like this in every society.
They’re even in Mark’s Gospel today, and Jesus warns us about them. They’re the Temple scribes, who love to strut about in fine clothes, parading their wealth and importance. They like being seen and admired for their success.
But Mark then contrasts this life of pride and selfishness with the story of a poor widow. She quietly donates two tiny copper coins to the Temple, a sum that’s barely enough to buy two sparrows (Mt.10:29).
It’s not much, but Jesus says her gift is the greatest of all because she’s given all she had. This is a real sacrifice, compared to the wealthy who only give from their abundance.
This widow’s tale is the final story from Jesus’ public ministry in Mark’s Gospel, before he begins his passion. It’s significant, because it summarises what Jesus has been trying to teach us about discipleship.
This widow represents Christ himself, because soon afterwards Jesus does the same thing. He gives up everything has – even his life – for the people he loves: you and me.
This widow is an icon of Christ, a living image of Jesus himself. And her two coins represent his two greatest commandments: to love God and to love each other, with all our hearts, souls and minds. This is the challenge Jesus has set for all of us.
But can we do that? Can we let go of our worldly attachments, and turn our hearts, souls and minds towards God and our neighbours?
Someone once said that if we want God’s kingdom to come, then we need to let go of our own personal kingdoms.
Let me tell you of three people who did just that.
The first is Dolores Hart, an aspiring Hollywood actress who was raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather, a film projectionist, had spurred her love for the movies. In the 1950s, she found herself acting with several famous stars, including Elvis Presley (in Loving You and King Creole).
In 1961, she was a nun in Francis of Assisi, and in 1962 she starred in Lisa, as a Jewish woman who has a spiritual awakening during WWII. This started her thinking, and soon afterwards she gave it all away to become a nun.
Since then, she has dedicated her life to prayer and service, and helping young people to find their vocation in Christ through the medium of the theatre.
The second is Kevin Fagan, an Australian doctor who became a prisoner-of-war at the fall of Singapore in 1942. He was imprisoned first at Changi, and then on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. His selflessness, courage and endurance became legendary.
To the best of his ability, and in the most appalling conditions, he treated anyone who needed help. He carried men who fell, and he carried the kit of those in danger of falling.
He marched up and down the length of the column as it moved – meaning that if everyone else marched 100 miles in the jungle, he marched 200. And at night when everyone collapsed and slept, he was there to clean ulcers, set bones and give first aid to anyone in need. But his biggest challenge was controlling a severe epidemic of cholera among the men.
And he did all this with the humour of someone who wasn’t tired at all. [i]
The third person is Laura, a simple woman who has served for years as the sacristan at a local parish church. She is only a pensioner, but for years she has given all she can to ensure that her local church has everything it needs for daily Mass – including flowers, altar wine, breads and freshly starched altar linens. She has dedicated her life to this work.
Laura has a generous heart, just like the poor widow in today’s Gospel. She has no interest in preening her appearance or drawing attention to herself. She simply wants to help Jesus.
What can you do that would make a difference?
[i] Braddon, Russell, The Naked Island, Atheneum Books, NY, 1982.