Thomas Marton once said” “Love seeks one thing only, the good of the one loved.” What he is saying here is that true selfless love is caring, giving and putting the other person’s happiness before one’s own, without expecting anything in return.”
In today’s Gospel, we have Jesus who had been observing those who were bringing their tithes into the temple basket. The rich people showed up with pride to donate from their surplus, but Jesus notices this poor widow dropping in the only coins she had left in her life. Under normal circumstances many of us would have only noticed rich people or those we consider to be important; most likely we would have missed out on recognizing the poor widow. The widow, according to Jesus, did not only donate coins, but she did it with a selfless heart. She didn’t calculate what she will be left with but gave all.
How can someone in poverty give more than someone who has ample means?
That is precisely the point that Jesus wants to put across to his disciples and those who were listening. The heart and love with which the old woman donated is much more precious than the big amounts from the rich people. Her donation comes from a heart that is ready to surrender all she has.
Jesus sacrificed everything for us on the cross so that we may receive salvation. Basically, Jesus is suggesting that, real giving must come from the heart, not for display, otherwise it loses its value.
Jesus so loved the world that he selflessly scarified all; he emptied himself for our sake, which implies that before God, "the Spirit of giving” determines the value of the gift more than the amount.
Love seeks one thing only, the good of the one loved. Just like Jesus the widow, shows us that the value of a gift is determined by what it costs the giver. The gift given out of love, within a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is precious before God.
For us who are listening, the invitation is to envelope ourselves completely into that selfless love that Jesus extends to us. We might not have big monies to offer, but we have ourselves. We are at our best when we give a little, if a little is all we have. This could be anything from our resources, caring presence, loving unconditionally. The little we have to offer however insignificant it might appear to be, will be a powerful witness to Jesus’ own generous giving, and God will notice. God can work that little we have and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Intense Love does not measure, it just gives. God loves cheerful givers.