First Reading: Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
And I beheld, and behold a Lamb stood upon Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.
And I heard a voice from heaven as the noise of many waters and as the voice of great thunder, and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping on their harps. And they sang as it were a new canticle before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no man could sing the canticle but those hundred and forty-four thousand who were purchased from the earth.
These follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were purchased from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb, and in their mouth there was found no lie, for they are without spot before the throne of God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Alleluia: Matthew 24:42a, 44
Gospel: Luke 21:1-4
And looking on, He saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in two small coins.
And He said: Truly I say to you that this poor widow has cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God, but she of her want has cast in all the living that she had.
Reflection
God looks for a heart that belongs wholly to Him. John sees a Lamb on Mount Zion and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand who have His name and the Father's name written on their foreheads. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes, no lie is found in their mouth, they are without spot before the throne.
The psalm asks: Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? The innocent in hands and clean of heart, who seeks the face of God.
Jesus shows what that looks like in a poor widow. Rich men put large gifts into the treasury. She puts in two small coins. Jesus says: Truly this widow has cast in more than they all. For they gave from abundance, but she from her want cast in all the living that she had.
Love is measured not by size but by surrender. You may not have much to offer today, but give Him your truthfulness, your trust, your next faithful step. Stay awake - nothing given in love is small before God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, write your name upon my heart and teach me to follow you wherever you lead. Purify my desires and keep my words truthful. Free me from measuring my gift by its size. Give me the widow's trusting generosity to place before you what I have, even when it seems small. May I seek your face with an undivided heart today. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
