Weekly Sacred Spaces Video
A Song of Thanksgiving
Living the Gospel Today 
November 23, 2009
Guest writer, Michael Lucas’12,Chemical Engineering,Stanford Hall
In today’s Gospel, we are reminded of what it means to fully give ourselves to the ministry of our Lord. Living the Catholic tradition does not simply involve giving time to God here and there, but it requires a full commitment as demonstrated by the poor widow. In the reading, the wealthy people did give of their time and effort to the church, but not wholeheartedly. Although the widow gave much less to the church, she gave more of herself than the wealthy; in fact, she committed all of herself to the Lord.
This Gospel often reminds me of how fortunate I am. Many of us in the Notre Dame community are so fortunate to come from good backgrounds, have supportive family and friends, have a good education, and have a successful future ahead. However, many others are not so blessed. According to government statistics, on average, 444,000 people in the United States will spend tonight on the street – 38% of this number being children.
This forces me to think, “With me being so blessed, should God really expect me to give to him the same amount of time and effort as someone suffering?” Of course, not. I should be giving of myself more, not just through money (since it is not cheap being a college student), but through service, prayer, and personal sacrifice. When we have a 15 minute break during our day, why not say a quick prayer of thanksgiving? If we find ourselves with nothing to do Sunday mornings, why not volunteer at the nearest homeless shelter?
Overall, it is full devotion to God that the Gospel announces. It does not matter how much money we have, or how much money we donate. The important thing is that our hearts are selflessly for God, both physically and spiritually. And this is why the poor widow is infinitely rich in God’s eyes – for she selflessly had God in her heart.
Gospel Reading of the Day November 23, 2009
He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” Lk 21:1-4
The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today's Prayer November 23, 2009
The scene is easy to imagine. A busy courtyard, streams of pilgrims and visitors move toward a large vase placed there for gifts to be made for the poor and needy. A crippled old lady comes in, holding a small coin in her hand and carefully drops it into the vase. Jesus immediately calls attention: “Did you see that? Listen to me. She gave from what little she had.” Do you now see that charity is to give from the heart, no matter what the amount. Charity is measured not in coins but in the heartfelt gifts. Let me learn, Lord, and open my heart. Rev. Herbert Yost, CSC
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