WIDOW
Widow was a symbol of helplessness in the Biblical times. Compared to any other books written, the Holy Bible gives importance to the care and protection of widows. God commanded the nation of Israel to take particular support of widows, along with others who need their care. God commanded through Moses: “You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely listen to their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans” (Ex 22:21-23). Psalm 68:5 presents God as the defender of widows. God asked the Israelites to give full participation for widows in the celebration of the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles, along with their children, slaves, Levites, resident alien, and orphans (Deut 16:11-14).
Jesus, the Son of God, also gave exceptional care for the widows: He raised the dead son of a widow in the city of Nain (Lk 7:11-17). He spoke high of a poor widow who could offer only two small copper coins in the Temple treasury. “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on” (Mk 12:42-44). Jesus criticized the Scribes “who devour widows’ houses (Lk 20:47). While dying on the cross, Jesus entrusted his widowed mother to John’s care (Jn 19:25-27).
REFLECTION
God cared for the weak in the society and Jesus exemplified that in action during his public ministry. Let us also be considerate to all who are vulnerable in the society. We please God by taking care of them as it is clear from the verdict of the last judgement.