(Jesus said)
"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
 Luke 4:21(NIV)

When we spend the month of February in Miami Beach, it is not unusual to see homeless people begging for money. Mainly men, but a few women as well, pursue the activity. Some are truly in need; and I suspect, some are preying on the sympathy of vacationers. However it is most unusual to see an extremely elderly woman begging.

This year, there was such a woman silently inching along with her walker - eyes cast down -- and holding out a cup hoping for donations. She was tiny and frail; she never said a word as she passed. She just held out her cup and shuffled by.

We were touched but elected to follow our "rule" to donate to organizations that help the homeless rather than give money directly to beggars.

Then came Sunday morning. We went to church and in came the same woman - with her walker. She was apparently a regular attendee. The ushers greeted her by name -- Mary. One of the parishioners came to help her to her pew and move her walker to an out-of-the-way location. Mary settled herself, removed several layers of clothing, folded the items and neatly placed them on the seat next to her. This took a period of time and couldn't help draw attention as it meant removing skirts, sweaters, shirts, a hat, etc. Once she was more comfortable, she quietly sat down and blended in with all the other worshippers. Then came time for the collection. Some people silently shook their heads "no" to indicate the ushers should move along. Others - like us - put our offering into the plate. When the usher came to Mary, she too put her offering into the plate.

"I tell you the truth," he (Jesus) said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:2 (NIV)

That day, we saw scripture fulfilled! And, on other days, when seeing Mary with her cup we made sure to give of our wealth to her so that she, in her poverty, would be sure to have an offering for the next Sunday's church service.

Lord, make us more aware of the daily fulfillment of your scriptures and lead us to be open to gray areas in our world of black-and-white rules. Amen.

Contributed by Nancy
Sunday May 16, 2010
Liturgical Year C Week 25
Sunday Gospel reading:
Seventh week of Easter