widow's mite – Kate Bluett

The table set for many,
the supper where we're fed:
This is all heaven's plenty;
this is the broken bread.

The daily hidden labors,
the widow's mites we bring:
This is the love of neighbor
and worship of the king.

The candle on the table
illuming every face:
This is the light we pray for,
this ordinary grace.

The endless tasks unchanging
yet ever deepening:
This is the song of angels,
as it has ever been.

The ones we give our all to
as moments turn to lives:
This is the pearl we long for,
and seek at any price.

And they that come to seek us,
whose voices call us home:
This is the Lord, Christ Jesus;
this is the kingdom come.

A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”
—Mark 12:41-44

The rich men come in state and noise
to give their offerings;
the princes in their pomp and poise
show off the gold they bring.
Like children giving cast-off toys
they shed these little things,
but she who put in two small coins
has given everything.

The gold I have, O Lord, I give,
and all my treasures bring.
The pleasures of the days I live,
the simple little things,
the words of prayer I daily lift:
These are my offerings.
But you ask me for more than this;
you ask for everything.

Strip all these treasures from me, God,
and what is left to bring?
A mind distracted in its thoughts,
a strength now faltering,
a heart and soul in passions caught—
Are these my offering?
But this is what you say you want:
Shall I give everything?

Take then my weary heart, O Lord,
that daily sorrows wring;
the flick'ring candle of my soul
safely to heaven bring;
my body's strength, my mind's control—
all still such little things—
and yet I offer you the whole.
I give you everything.

The Widow’s Mite (Le denier de la veuve) – James Tissot – Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum; Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2008, 00.159.211_PS2.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10957531

Category: widow's mite

This Is the Kingdom

Two Small Coins