Luke 21:1-4

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

Luke 21:1-4

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people

putting their offerings into the treasury

and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.

He said, “I tell you truly,

this poor widow put in more than all the rest;

for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,

but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I offer my entire life to you. Receive all that I am, purify it with your grace. Accept it as a pleasing sacrifice. Lord, I trust in you. Deliver me from all evil today.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Value of Two Small Coins: Jesus sees everything. He saw the wealthy and the poor widow. Jesus saw beyond their appearances and saw their hearts and deepest intentions. He saw the intentions of those who wanted to be seen and praised for their generosity and those who gave with a humble heart. Jesus does not measure or judge a person by their bank account. In fact, according to Jesus’ math, two small coins – two lepta – can be worth more than great sums of wealth. In Jesus’ day, a lepton was the least valuable coin: one hundred twenty-eight bronze lepta equaled a day’s wage, i.e., a silver denarius. Jesus pointed out that the wealthy were making offerings to God from their surplus (from their leftovers), but that the poor widow offered her entire life or livelihood. It is reminiscent of the difference between the sacrifices of Cain and Abel. Cain offered some fruit to God but not the first fruits. Abel, by contrast, offered God the best, the firstborn from the flock, and the fat portions (Genesis 4:3-5). By pointing out the widow and her total offering, Jesus was not encouraging reckless or imprudent abandon in giving away what we have. But he pointed out a model of self-giving to God and filial trust in God’s care. 

2. The Book of Daniel: The First Reading was taken from the Book of Daniel, the fourth major prophet in the Bible. The first major prophet, Isaiah, covers the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jeremiah, the second major prophet, covers the fall of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. Ezekiel, the third major prophet, also covers the fall of Jerusalem, but is in exile in Babylon. This week, we will read from Daniel, a prophet exiled in Babylon who had very detailed prophecies about how history would unfold until the coming of the Messiah and Son of Man. Daniel was unique in how specific his prophecies were. Not only did he foretell how many empires would rise and fall until the establishment of the Kingdom of God, but he even gave a timeline of 490 years (see Daniel 9:24-25). Each of the four empires will be characterized as a metal in a statue and as a beast arising from the sea. When Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of Man” and speaks often about the Kingdom of God in the Gospel, his listeners must have recalled the prophecies of Daniel.

3. Undefiled and Faithful in Exile: The Book of Daniel opens with several young men, some from the nobility of Judah, in exile in Babylon. They were chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s royal court. Nebuchadnezzar had all their names changed. Daniel, which means “God is my judge,” was changed to “Belteshazzar,” which means “Bel – a Babylonian god – protects his life.” Hananiah, which means “YHWH is gracious,” was changed to “Shadrach, “which means “Command of Aku – the moon god.” Mishael, which means “Who is like God,” was changed to “Meshach,” Who is like Aku.” And Azariah, which means “YWHW has helped,” was changed to “Abednego,” which means “Servant of Nebo – the god of writing.” The name changes symbolize how the young men were all tempted to abandon their faith in the Lord and serve false gods. This temptation is also seen in the unclean food they were offered. Yet, despite being surrounded by impure things and sin in a pagan nation, they maintained their purity and remained faithful to God. The young men not only survived, but they thrived. They were stronger, healthier, and wiser than all those around them.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, gaze upon me today, look at my actions, and render your judgment. Bring out where I struggled, where I was selfish, where I loved, and where I was generous.

Living the Word of God: The widow in the Gospel offered everything to God. How can I imitate her self-giving today? Daniel and his companions in the First Reading remained faithful while in exile. How am I called to be faithful to God’s Law in my culture today? What are the major temptations I face that could compromise my faithful commitment to God?