In the 1st reading we hear of an old woman who acted with trust, and confidence in God. She gave all that she had, to a stranger. Literally her and her sons last meal. Trusting that God would provide, and so it says, they continued to eat for a year.
In the Gospel, we hear of another, poor woman who gives of what little she had, just a few cents, while others were giving large sums, to the widows small offering that was more pleasing to God because it was one of true sacrifice. Sacrifice means giving up of something we value, in order to honor God. The offering of the rich people in today’s Gospel consisted of their excess, money they could easily part with, without suffering any inconvenience. It shows that our offerings to God aren’t measured by their amount, but are measured by our sincerity and our purity of intention. The widows in both the 1st reading and the Gospel gave all they had. Or as we might say, they gave until it hurt. If we remember from elsewhere in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The two widows gave with faith and trust in God, not for the admiration or the praise from other people. May we too in our giving, look for our reward in heaven and not here on earth.