for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
As a ritual the box for offerings in passed around during sunday mass at church, and it was taken around by the children who volunteer. As enthusiastic as I was , I would run to do this task which would give me a chance to stroll around church during mass officially !
I would check out which church goer put in how much cash and coins and tell my mother how I saw the rich people of the neighborhood just drop some coins while these working class women and men sincerely shell out whatever they had a crumpled note unwrapped from the edge of their saree (garment).
I remember mom telling me , don’t judge them by what they put in the basket, that is how those people get rich by not giving it to others and God! Cut to 30 years later , I am often running to mass in between my rounds or house chores on the one sunday evening I get to spare myself time. I often will be walking to church or taking public transport to avoid the chaos of parking my car and realise I go empty handed and have nothing to give the church donation. I can feel the persons eyes stare at me when they pass by me all judgy wondering why this woman cant donate a dime!
As the gospel says, we have to give all we have just not in terms of monetary value but as christians to this life. I have given my life to my work and being the true asian its a badge of honor to over work and not expect anything in return but I would like to not burn out so I give myself to work in bits and pieces. So I give myself as much as I can however with the Lord I want to submit my entire self.
This advent I want to spend more time being myself and spreading the christian cheer with my deeds than my words! Focus on improving my prayer life and being a better human at every chance I get. I wish all of you a wonderful advent with the blessings and cheers which we can find. let the lights keep us bright and shiny for the coming of the Lord!
AMEN
