The Gospel for The memorial of St. Andrew priests and companions martyrs is taken from Luke 21. When Jesus looked up, he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury. And he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, I tell you truly, the poor widow put in more than all the rest. For those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth.

But she from her poverty has offered her whole livelihood. What’s the difference in this passage between wealthy people and a poor widow? And why is the poor widow’s gift so rich? It’s simply because the rich do not understand their need for God. They don’t understand that the very thing they are is always because of God’s care. God’s love, that disposition of a heart when it generously gives to others is a much greater gift.

After the music, I will close with a prayer. Foreign. Closing prayer Father, fill us with your richness. Fill us with your gifts. We are not enough. We know our need for you.

And when you are within us, we are in such a better place to offer who you are to the people around him. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.