Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer

Jesus, I’m embarrassed as I read the story of the widow’s mite.  I try to be generous, but it is always with the extra I have.  Hers was a deep sacrifice – a  testimony of her total love.  I need to develop the appetite for giving what I’ll miss, not simply letting extra overflow in unfelt ways.  Pour forth your Spirit to teach me generosity that goes to the marrow.  The young men in exile in Babylon struggled to be faithful to the kosher dietary laws.  They developed a healthy appetite of faithfulness and blossomed with divine wisdom.  Guide me on a diet of my spirit and teach me to curb unhealthy and non-kosher appetites.  Teach me to cut the fat of self-service and self-protection, that I may be lean and focused on your divine plan.  Empower me to be faithful to the sacrifice, generosity and integrity that are the signs of your true kingdom.