Preaching to a crowd in the temple, Jesus notices rich and poor alike dropping their offerings in the treasury chest.  (Lk 21:1-4)

Suddenly he points to a plainly dressed older woman saying, “This poor widow gave more than all the others; for these others gave an offering from their spare wealth, but she gives generously from her scantily, tight budget.”  Jesus continues, “She wisely realizes God gives her life each new day she lives along with everything else she possesses. They all flow to her generously from God’s abundance.”  She counts them as bonuses.

In her heart she certainly feels rich and satisfied.  She isn’t in the temple to quarrel with God about how tiny her surplus is.  What she has is enough because it all comes from God.

She came here today to thank the Lord for the treasure that is hers: her family, her ability to walk, her gift of waking up every day. She has what she needs to love God in return.  And that is enough. God is good to her and she wants to show God her gratitude. 

I saw this same attitude while preaching about our South African missions to a Hispanic parish in Texas. This same weekend, the parish was sponsoring their annual parish fund-raiser: a homemade tortilla sale.

After preaching at all the liturgies, the pastor told me the collection results.  Excitedly, he said, “It’s the biggest second collection ever.”  I didn’t know what to expect.  Then, he said, “It’s $1,500 dollars!”  He continued, “My parish community isn’t wealthy, but what they have they gladly share!”  

He commented further, “They are like the poor temple widow that Christ identified in the Scriptures, who gave from her all she had and not from her extra.”  He continued, “They appreciate the disadvantaged or those who worry about making ends meet.”  And then added, “That’s why when you told your story of the missions, they donated generously with mounds of compassion and understanding.”

The pastor’s right. His parishioners opened their hearts and their pockets because they know where life’s true treasures lie, and they wanted those living in our missions to have the same opportunity.  It is a lesson I never forgot, including the free bag of homemade tortillas.

These last few weeks have shown what is important as we shelter home with family, deprived of gathering with friends, abstaining from public Masses and Eucharist, not going to the office or visiting high risk family members.

We miss now what we once took for granted, our good old days like enjoying coffee in a Starbuck’s or dining at a favorite restaurant.  Our eyes are focusing daily to where our true  treasures lie?  Focusing on what’s really important and essential in our lives?

God didn’t send the Corona Virus, but he knows how to use its aftermath for goodness.  Despite its dark side, we see how many different ways neighbors are helping neighbors. We applaud those who are on the front lines risking their lives to safeguard others. Isn’t it interesting that in these turbulent times we only see need, not religion, race, color, or politics.  We are simply becoming good Samaritans.

This quarantine moment provides time to take stock of what surrounds us, by asking ourselves: is this what I need?  Then to ask Jesus  to help us seek the light that leads to change.