In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus praises the generosity of a widow whose gift, though small in monetary value, was of immense spiritual value. Although grieving a painful loss – one which left her both humanly and financially vulnerable – she still found it in her heart to be generous in supporting her community. What a wonderful steward she was!

Think of the different ways in which God has blessed you: your health, your education, your time, your talents, your family, your treasure. We too can find it in our hearts to share generously of these gifts once we realize that, in the end, none of these “belong” to us. Might it be possible that God, who is so generous with us, is calling us to a similar generosity in our own lives? That in “giving until it hurts”, we actually discover that giving feels good?

Last weekend, we welcomed back the families and loved ones of nearly 40 parishioners who have died in the last year, surrounding them with the prayer of the Church and a supportive community. This coming Wednesday, as we mark Remembrance Day, we will honour all who paid the supreme price by laying down their lives in the service of their country. “There is no greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends.” And this coming Saturday morning, Deacon Richard Haber will moderate a panel discussion here at St. Monica’s with founding director of the West Island Palliative Care Residence Teresa Dellar, physician Dr. Loraine Mazzella, and palliative-care nurse and spiritual director Jeannie Albert. They will speak to us of their “mission of mercy”: caring for the dying in a way respectful of their inherent dignity and value. All these people know, like the widow in today’s Gospel, what it means to “give their all.”

If you have not yet filled in and returned the “time, talent, treasure” commitment card you received in the bulletin two weeks ago, please give it some thought and prayer this week. May we be inspired by the example of the poor widow in the Gospel, of the veterans who have given their lives in the defense of the cause of justice and peace, and of those who work generously with the sick and dying, to be generous in our response. Amen.