Carmelite homily for Lectionary 503 | Monday, November 25, 2019
Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘mite’ as any small thing – m i t e – mite. Oftentimes a little bug is called a mite, any small thing. So today’s story, from Luke’s Gospel, is called ‘The Widow’s Mite.’ It represents the two copper coins she throws into the Temple Treasury. And Jesus praises her for this mite, this tiny, little offering. I think John of the Cross summarizes this very well when he writes, “God is more pleased by one work however small done secretly, than a thousand done with the desire that people know of them.” That’s why Jesus praises this widow. That’s why Jesus praises us – humility and not self-aggrandizement, but God-aggrandizement, other-aggrandizement, focus on God, focus on other. That’s the call of this very simple Gospel.