“A man’s poverty before God is judged by the disposition of his heart, not by his coffers.”
~St. Augustine of Hippo
The Widow’s Mite-Every 2 Cents Counts
Recently, I attended a continuing education workshop for priests on the Dynamics of Spiritual Direction, offered by Dr. Susan Muto, Ph.D., who is the Executive Director of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality. Dr. Muto is a single lay woman who has dedicated her entire life to Christian formation. She lectures nationally and internationally and has written more than 30 books. She has also co-authored numerous books with Fr. Adrian van Kaam (1920-2007), teacher and mentor. “She is a voice of the 21st century’s concern for the meaning of life beyond mere functionalism to family values, beyond selfism to social concerns, beyond routine religiosity to renewed fervor for and fidelity to the Church” (Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality).
I have considered Dr. Muto a life-long companion, mentor, teacher and friend through the years. I’ve been inspired by her untiring dedication and commitment to minding the human spirit. In her class she noted that her Italian grandmother, Nonna Betta, would always remind her, “Just be what Jesus wants you to be and you will be a blessing for the world.” This simple Italian immigrant gave her a deep faith. I am grateful that here in our very own backyard of Beechview we hold the treasure of Dr. Susan Muto.
In our age, which takes glory in large numbers (such as the Gallup Polls and Nielsen Ratings), Jesus saw the importance of “one”. The Widow’s Mite (Mark 12:38-44), is a powerful story on complete charity. Because she was poor, the world saw her as invisible. Because she was without means, she was vulnerable. She was judged ‘insignificant’ and had little protection and maximum vulnerability toward exploitation and injustice, even being required to wear special clothing which called attention to her condition (Genesis 38:14, 19). The widow put her 2 copper coins into the collection plate and Jesus offered her high praise for her puny contribution to the Temple treasury. Jesus explained that she, in fact, gave all that she had with reckless abandon and extravagant love. Jesus saw her faith-filled generosity in the way she gave. She didn’t give from an abundance or surplus but from the generosity of spirit that came from deep within her heart.
Beginning in January 2013, Bishop Zubik begins a great breakthrough in the 169 year history of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with the first comprehensive diocesan—wide endowment and capital campaign entitled, “Our Campaign for The Church Alive!” It is critical that all 204 parishes participate in this historic endeavor in order to reach the $125 million goal. Each parish is given a financial ‘target’ based on their average offertory collection from the last 3 years. I support this Christian sharing as it’s not the size of the gift that one pledges but the spirit and the sacrifice one makes in the offering. Like the Widow’s Mite, real giving has a sort of recklessness about it. Her extraordinary and extravagant love for Jesus compels her to do an inventory of all that He has given her. So perhaps in this Thanksgiving/Christmas season we can consider the gift the Church has been for us throughout our lifetime. And it is in that spirit that we pledge our support to our shepherd in his appeal, joyfully embracing his request. Generosity expands and rejuvenates the heart, thus, increasing our capacity to love. Every person has a basic need to give. When we truly give to others our heart is filled with joy. The one who does not know how to share with others has a handicapped heart. The value of the gift depends not on its absolute worth, but in the love with which it is given. For instance, the value of a birthday present depends on the love it expresses. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life but what we give.” Because the Bishop asks, we respond wholeheartedly and faithfully. May the Holy Spirit guide our stewardship sharing to be: participatory, prepared, practical, prudent and punctual! “Be cheerful with every gift you make, and when you pay your tithes, do it gladly. Give to the Most High as He has given to you, just as generously as you can. The Lord always repays and will do it many times over.” (Sirach 35:9-11)
In a ‘cyber-fast’ world that is constantly pulsating with activity, stimulation, and over-functioning, one can ‘binge out’, ‘burn-out’, and ‘expire’. Often times in life we look for the Cecil B. DeMille exotic, spectacular and dramatic experience, where we can lose our spiritual bearings. Once we do that, we are likely to end up lost in unintended places, situations or relationships. God’s way is the only right way to go. We need to depend on His grace and guidance by living in truth. In the wisdom of St. Charles Borromeo: “Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul, do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself. You have to be mindful of your people without becoming forgetful of yourself.” ~St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) In this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us catch our breath to allow the Spirit to still us and seize us anew. May the doors of our hearts be filled with thanksgiving and charity.
8 Degrees in the Ladder of Charity
~Moses Maimonides -12th Century Jewish Philosopher (1135-1204)
1. The first and lowest degree is to give, but with reluctance or regret. This is the gift of the hand, but not of the heart.
2. The second is to give cheerfully, but not in proportion to the distress of the sufferer.
3. The third is to give cheerfully and in proportion to the need, but not until we are asked.
4. The fourth is to give cheerfully, proportionately, and even unasked, but to put it into the poor man’s hand, thereby exciting in him the painful emotion of shame.
5. The fifth is to give in such a way that the needy may receive the alms and know their benefactor, without the benefactor knowing them.
6. The sixth is to know the recipients of our charity, while remaining unknown to them.
7. The seventh is to bestow charity in such a way that the benefactor does not know the recipient, or the recipient the benefactor.
8. Lastly, the eighth and most meritorious way of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty. This can be done by giving a gift or a loan of money to enable an indigent person to get back on his feet, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood, and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding out his hand for charity.
