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And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.”
- Luke 21.3
But, even if I had been given what was given to others, nevertheless, I would not be silent.
- Patrick, Confession, Irish, 5th century
We live in a culture of stars and superstars. And then there's the rest of us.
The people who “matter most” are the ones with all the talent, all the wealth, all the power, the big name, the huge contract, the great batting average, the smooth moves, the glitzy smile – and so on.
Ordinary folk like you and I know our place: ours is to admire and endorse, and not in any way to dare to aspire to greatness of our own.
We’re all the biggest losers and our culture makes sure we remember this, day in and day out. And this is surely one of the greatest hindrances to the Church’s being the Church and her members making the kind of impact the Lord intends.
The quote above from Patrick comes after a section in which he is bemoaning his lack of facility in the Latin tongue (he was writing - or trying to - in Latin). He had been kidnapped, after all, and carried off before he could finish his schooling, and so his grammar, well, ain’t so good.
But note the jibe at his eloquent critics: certainly if he could speak and write as well as they, he would not hesitate – as they were – to proclaim the Name of Jesus far and wide. Whop! What a slap in the piety! Here’s Patrick, all rustic and unschooled, barely able to write in an acceptable manner and not at all accomplished in speech, winning the whole nation of Ireland to Christ and starting one of the greatest revivals in the history of the Church.
No formal training. No big donors. No support for his "home church." Just himself and his daily availability to the Lord.
And here’s this poor widow, commended by Christ above all her wealthy contemporaries, because, though she had but a little, she gave it all to the Lord.
Like most of us, you may not be a superstar or even think you have much to offer the Lord. Which probably explains why we have thus far been so little involved in making Him known to others. But take heart! Jesus welcomes your widow’s mite, your rustic riches, your lousy Latin, and whatever else you want to offer Him, and He can use it all in powerful ways to bring glory and honor to His Name.
So step up, friend, and make your offering to the Lord of glory! “Little is much when God is in it;/labor not for wealth or fame./There’s a crown, and you can win it/if you go in Jesus’ Name!”
Psalm 40.6-8 (Dix: “For the Beauty of the Earth”)
Off’rings You do not require – open now my ears, O Lord –
What from me do You desire? Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your law upon my heart.
Lord, whoever does Your will – whether in small things or large – is a blazing sun of summer amid the wintry blasts of another’s soul. Let me be that rising Son for others. Adapted from Oengus mac Oengobann, Féilire Oengusso
Be sure to visit our website for thought-provoking links and insights on various topics (The Week); a deeper study of Celtic Christian theology (Scriptorium); an ongoing study in the nature of prayer, based on a poem by George Herbert (Revision); Celtic Christian insights to Advent and Chrismas (Celtic Legacy); and other valuable columns and resources.
And if you're looking for something you can give away today - even if it's just a little something - why not forward today's issue of Crosfigell to a friend, and urge him or her to go the website and subscribe (subscription box is at the lower left of the home page)? If you'll copy me on the email, I'll write your friend and second your recommendation!
We are about to publish a 28-day meditation guide for developing your vision of the unseen realm where Christ rules in glory. Every worldview begins in and moves toward a vision of unseen things, but the unseen things of the Christian worldview are real. We want to offer Be Thou My Vision to our readers before it goes on the bookstore shelf. If you would like a copy of Be Thou My Vision, we'll be happy to send it in response to your end-of-the-year gift in any amount to The Fellowship of Ailbe. Send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 43135 Rudy Terrace, Leesburg, VA 20176. Those of you who have already given via our website, if you'll just email me your mailing address, we'll put your copy in the mail right away.
T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
And if you're looking for something you can give away today - even if it's just a little something - why not forward today's issue of Crosfigell to a friend, and urge him or her to go the website and subscribe (subscription box is at the lower left of the home page)? If you'll copy me on the email, I'll write your friend and second your recommendation!
We are about to publish a 28-day meditation guide for developing your vision of the unseen realm where Christ rules in glory. Every worldview begins in and moves toward a vision of unseen things, but the unseen things of the Christian worldview are real. We want to offer Be Thou My Vision to our readers before it goes on the bookstore shelf. If you would like a copy of Be Thou My Vision, we'll be happy to send it in response to your end-of-the-year gift in any amount to The Fellowship of Ailbe. Send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 43135 Rudy Terrace, Leesburg, VA 20176. Those of you who have already given via our website, if you'll just email me your mailing address, we'll put your copy in the mail right away.
T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
[1] Da Paor, p. 98.