THE POWER OF SELFLESS AND GENEROUS GIVING

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Texts: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

The readings of this Sunday teach us the power of generosity and selflessness. The stories of the two widows who gave from all they had and Jesus, who gave of himself teach us lessons of selfless generosity and unwavering trust in God. 

The first reading introduces us to the widow of Zarephath, whom the prophet Elijah met in the middle of a drought and famine. She was at the end of her resources - gathering sticks to cook what she believed would be the last meal for herself and her son before they succumb to starvation and death. Elijah’s request for water and bread must have seemed unreasonable, even insensitive and heartless. Yet, he spoke a word of promise from God: “The jar of flour will not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry” (1 Kings 17:14).

What did the woman do? Despite her dire situation, she chose to give Elijah a portion of her last meal, an act of profound trust. She did not question or doubt God’s ability to provide; she acted in obedience and faith. Her example shows us that faith means trusting in God’s providence, even when we cannot see the outcome. Her small act of generosity became the very means by which God worked a miracle - her jar of flour and jug of oil were sustained throughout the famine. 

This story teaches us about divine providence: when we respond selflessly and generously, especially in difficult times, God sees and provides. The widow of Zarephath exemplifies the call to trust and share, even when it appears that we have nothing left. In doing so, she becomes for us a powerful witness to the sustaining love and faithfulness of God.

In the gospel, we encounter another woman with a similar story. Like the woman of Zarephath, the woman in the gospel was also a widow. Second, they both lived in extreme poverty and vulnerable situations. Third, they were both selfless, generous, and ready to make sacrifices. Fourth, the two widows exhibited unwavering faith, deep trust, and reliance in God’s providence. They trusted that God will provide for their needs even when circumstances seem dire.

In the temple, Jesus observed how the poor widow placed two small coins - everything she had - into the temple treasury. Jesus noted her action and contrasted it with the contributions of the wealthy, saying, “This poor widow had put in more than all those who were contributing to the treasury” (Mark 12:43).

To understand the depth of her sacrifice, we must note that, in her poverty, she still chose to give. This is not simply about material poverty; her action speaks to a total surrender and trust in God. While the wealthy gave from their surplus, she gave from her need. This act of giving embodies Jesus’ call to complete self-gift, to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30). As we read in the second reading, by offering himself, Jesus embodies both the widows’ trust in God and her complete self-giving. Jesus is not merely a model for us to imitate; He is the high priest who gave everything to bring us into communion with God. His act of self-sacrifice fulfilled what the widows in 1 Kings and Mark point toward - a life given entirely in love and faith.

In the two examples, Jesus did not focus on the amount given but on the cost to the giver. For the widow in the gospel, those two coins represented her entire livelihood; in today’s terms, it would be equivalent to giving one’s last meal or rent money. Her offering was radical, sacrificial, and wholehearted - a gift that transcended material value and became a statement of total dependence on God. This teaches us that true generosity is measured not by the amount given but by the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness behind the gift. The greatest gifts are often not the ones of highest monetary value but those that cost us the most personally.

Lastly, as we reflect on these readings, we are invited to consider how we live out our faith and generosity. Are we holding back, giving only when it is convenient, or are we willing to trust God with everything, as the women did? May we, inspired by their example, ask the Lord to deepen our faith and give us the courage to trust him more fully. As we learn to give generously from what we have, may we remember that God will multiply our gifts, sustaining us and working through us to bless others. Let us pray for the grace to live out this call to faith, sacrifice, and generosity in our daily lives.