"A poor widow also arrived and she dropped two coins, that is, a quarter of the ace. Then, calling his disciples, he said to them: "I tell you truly that this poor widow has thrown out more than all those who throw in the treasury. For all have thrown out of those who were left over, this, however, has thrown out of what I needed everything I had, everything I had to live. " Mark 12, 42-44
"A poor widow also arrived and she dropped two coins, that is, a quarter of the ace. Then, calling his disciples, he said to them: "I tell you truly that this poor widow has thrown out more than all those who throw in the treasury. For all have thrown out of those who were left over, this, however, has thrown out of what I needed everything I had, everything I had to live. " (Mark 12, 42-44)
The story told by the Gospel is impressive, where he tells us of a widow who, with an admirable interior disposition and generosity, gives a quarter of the ace, two coins (Leptas), the smallest in circulation of the time, for the offering of the temple.
The particular thing about all this, is that this woman gives a great example of what is detachment, and surrender, giving everything she had. For this reason, some aspects for which Jesus praises this woman will be taken into account:
1- This widow has thrown more than the others: This woman only has two coins, and knowing that it was her duty to offer God, she is not afraid to be left with nothing, she is sure that He is a provident and will sustain her. "And God is able to fill you with all grace so that having, always and in everything, all that is necessary, you still have surplus for all good work. As it is written: Distributed hands full; gave to the poor; His justice remains eternally. He who provides seed for the sower and bread for his food, will provide and multiply your seed and increase the fruits of your righteousness. " II Corinthians 9, 8-19
2 - This widow made a great effort to help support the temple: In one way or another, what was given to the temple or the treasure chest, was destined for the support of the temple, this woman does her duty, because Although she did not have wealth, she contributed from her poverty to keep the temple, she knows that if there is a temple, the work of God will continue, in itself she did not offer to offer, but she gave it to the one who owns everything: pile up treasures in the earth, where there is moth and rust that corrode, and thieves that undermine and steal. Pile up treasures in heaven, where there is no moth or rust to corrode, nor thieves to undermine and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. " Matthew 6, 19-21
3- People gave only what was left over, she gave everything: This is something clearly denounced by Jesus. If we look at the Gospel of Luke we see that the people who were in the temple, perhaps they were not careful in thinking, that if God gives everything, to contribute with his cause, it is something very important. This woman, if she has it in mind, although she has little, gives everything. She knows to whom she gives her offering, and is aware that God's mercy has not abandoned her despite being a widow. "Because all these have given as a donation of what was left over, this one instead has thrown out what I needed, everything I had to live" Luke 21, 4
God makes us a call not to cling to riches, so that we do not put our hearts in them, because there is a risk of filling it with everything except the truly important thing that is his love, and therefore of what is in the heart. mouth will speak, Mt 12, 34, not only speak, but work.
"Do not trust oppression, do not get excited about prey; to riches, when they increase, do not cling to the heart. " Psalm 62, 11
Let us learn from this woman, to give everything, to deliver the best we have so that the kingdom of God may be extended. Let's give good news to a world that every day is further away from God's love. Let us not let ourselves be admired by the world, and by its riches. Something very certain is that for God who acts as the widow, he will not be left unprotected, because those who act like this and abandon themselves in the hands of the Father, He will not forget them. Remember in small acts of mercy and generosity, there is the kingdom of God.