By MaryBeth Eberhard

“And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.” ~ Mark 12:41-44

The life of a mother is full of opportunity and temptation. If you are like me, you worry you are not enough for your kids. You see what others are “providing” and compare those material possessions to the thrifting you have done and wonder if it is enough. Social media gives us images of mother/daughter teas, spa days, vacations, and the life we can provide will never measure up. But is it meant to? The vocation of motherhood provides the opportunity to live a life for another. We model this sacrifice through raising up a generation that lives gratefully, serves humbly, and gives generously as they have been given to. That is our goal. Our job, however, comes with few accolades, no performance review, yearly bonus, or trip I can earn through my days served. It is a selfless giving. I will admit to weak moments of craving a “flowing robe” and having recognition for all that I do. The Lord warns us to be wary of such desires lest we become like the scribes and Pharisees he mentions in today’s gospel.

Pouring out oneself till we are empty is a common denominator for all mothers. We give from our surplus, and then we continue to empty ourselves of all we have for those we love. As a mother of eight children, two of who have disabilities, I know well the feeling of days or even weeks sometimes passing with no opportunity to fill my tank, and yet somehow, I can continue to pour out for my family. I know the paradoxical joy of living each day utterly reliant on the grace that God provides. As He spoke to the Israelites in the desert, assuring them that he would provide enough manna for today, so too does God do this for us now in our everyday lives. The widow in today’s gospel reflection understands this and lives her life accordingly.

All the Living She Had

This widow gave “all the living she had.” This is the woman we can seek to emulate, the mother, wife, and friend we strive to be, emptying ourselves to give life to those around us.   Our children might see the extra stop at the ice cream store on the way home or the special pair of sandals and feel loved, but I think the truly selfless giving is the widow’s mite. Perhaps we call it a mother’s mite, the gift no one sees but we mothers give, of the very last of our effort, the last bit of our patience, and even the last thought at night laid out in a prayer for those we hold so close.

Prayer

Lord, Help me to live fully in who you created me to be as a wife and mother.  Let me embrace each day, giving all the living I have as a reflection of being a living testimony to your provision and love.

Call to Action

In what ways are you pouring yourself out for others? How might you make that an offering to the Lord?

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