"Small Gifts"

Gospel
Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."

It is amazing the look on people's faces as I give them a simple pair of socks. They smile, they glitter--a pair of socks, something I take for granted--something that I am always losing and wearing out--they bring smiles to peoples faces. It is the simple gifts that count--one young man commented to me last night--"You always have time for me," presence, such a simple gift. We get caught up in our lives that we forget of St. Teresa of Avila said: It is love alone that gives worth to all things. That is all we need to give is an act of love, simple, pure, just an act of love.

Last night I cooked and served a meal with a group from the MCC. Again I am amazed at how our status differeniates. One gentleman hears the kids talk about "traveling", and he thinks of insecuity and no health insurance and their future. For centuries people have moved from one place to the other without much. In this country they are hid from society's eyes for the most part--we do not want to see them because we feel guilty and are makes us fear for ourselves. In other countries the "travelers" are visible and a dominant part of the culture. It is hard for us to come out of our worlds and see another world, so different, and so painful to us. Ultimately it is the small gifts that matter.

Deo Gratis! Thanks be to God!