The poor and the abandoned

Poor widows figure prominently in today's readings.

In today's first reading (1 Kings 17:10-16), a poor widow - a single parent struggling to care for her son in a time and place where many are starving - is preparing to the last bit of food that stands between them and death.

In the long form of today's Gospel (Mark 12:38-44), poor widows are being victimized by religious scholars even as at least one of them outshines the rich in true generosity.

Poor widows were perhaps the most neglected individuals in many ancient cultures, yet God is depicted as looking out for their interests, as we hear in the first reading, the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 146:7-10), and many other places.

The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD protects the stranger,
sustains the orphan and the widow,
but thwarts the way of the wicked.

When we are prosperous and popular, life seems good and too often we are disdainful of those who are poor and abandoned.

Too often we are also forgetful of God, relying instead on our material and social blessings (forgetting God who made all things possible).

We dare not forget God.

We dare not disdain or ignore the poor and the abandoned.

Otherwise, when the things of this world pass away - as they surely shall - we will find ourselves poor and abandoned for eternity.

May the Lord Jesus have mercy on us.

May we share with others the mercy and the blessings we have received, most especially the poor and abandoned.

May God be with us all.