Women of faith

She … has contributed all she had. (Mark 12:44)

It is said that behind every great man, there is a great woman. Although Jesus was more than just a great man, the Gospels are filled with examples of how he found solace, strength, and encouragement from women of deep faith. Martha’s sister, Mary, kept him company in the face of strong cultural pressure to keep busy in the kitchen. She later anointed him in a beautiful act of faith that refreshed his weary heart. A woman suffering from chronic hemorrhaging had such deep faith that she drew healing power from Jesus—as well as his assurance of salvation. There’s also the Syrophoenecian woman, whose humble tenacity inspired him, and Mary Magdalene, whose devotion and gratitude were manifested in financial support and in the courage to visit his tomb when everyone else remained behind closed doors.

Surely the poor widow in today’s Gospel reading belongs in this company of heroic, faith-filled women! Many rich people were giving large sums into the very public treasury receptacles in the Temple, but it was her paltry gift of just a few cents that drew Jesus’ admiration. It was all she had to live on, and yet she freely donated it to support this grand house of worship. In making this offering, she entrusted herself completely to God.

Watching this act of abandonment affected Jesus deeply enough for him to point her out to his disciples. Perhaps it moved him so much because he himself was standing on the precipice of his own final and complete offering to God: the cross. Perhaps, after a long day of disputing with Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, he found great comfort in the woman’s simple act of faith. Whatever the cause, this widow ministered to Jesus!

We too can inspire Jesus by our trust in God. We can bring joy to his heart by showing him courageous love today. So let’s give from our substance and not just our surplus. Let’s trust that he will meet our needs. Let’s try to engage our hearts a bit more when we pray, and let’s look for a new way to step out in faith as we face the day. 

“Jesus, you once said that you had nowhere to lay your head. Here I am, Lord; let my heart become a resting place for you.”

from wau.org