In a world of social media, there are a million voices clamoring for our attention. Videos, reels, stories, posts, advertisements, even billboards that change content every few seconds. Look at me, look at this! We are bombarded by the variety of products, people, ideas, and accounts. I often catch myself wondering whether I ought to be participating in this firestorm of expression. Should I pick my blog back up? Should I be more active on Instagram? Do people know me? Am I seen?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus highlights this very issue and turns it on its head. He tells everyone to observe the widow and to see how she generously gives her whole livelihood. It isn’t about the amount given, but the spirit and intention behind the action. We can take this lesson to heart when we consider how we choose to spend our time and talents. But for today’s social media intense culture, I would also like to highlight why we remember this poor widow.
We know her actions are worth emulating, however, I don’t think Luke would have written down what she did on their own because no one was likely paying attention to her. She was a poor widow. Her head was likely bowed. She wasn’t calling attention to herself because she had so little to give. Luke wrote about her because Jesus drew His followers’ attention to her. Her actions glow because they are reflecting the light Jesus is shining on them. So too should our lives glow. Our actions matter because we matter to Jesus. Our life has meaning because Jesus died for our salvation and through Him, we have life. No amount of likes, clicks, or visibility will change the fact that Jesus radically loves each one of us.
En un mundo de redes sociales, hay millones de voces que claman por nuestra atención. Videos, reels, historias, publicaciones, anuncios, incluso vallas publicitarias que cambian de contenido cada tres segundos. ¡Mírenme, miren esto! Estamos bombardeados por la variedad de productos, personas, ideas y cuentas. A menudo me sorprendo preguntándome si debería participar en esta tormenta de expresión. ¿Debería retomar mi blog? ¿Debería ser más activa en Instagram? ¿La gente me conoce? ¿Me ven?
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús resalta este mismo tema y lo pone patas arriba. Les dice a todos que observen a la viuda y vean cómo da generosamente todo su sustento. No se trata de la cantidad que da, sino del espíritu y la intención detrás de la acción. Podemos tomar esta lección en serio cuando consideramos cómo elegimos gastar nuestro tiempo y talentos. Pero para la intensa cultura de las redes sociales de hoy, también me gustaría destacar por qué recordamos a esta pobre viuda.
Sabemos que sus acciones son dignas de emular, sin embargo, no creo que Lucas hubiera escrito lo que ella hizo por su cuenta porque probablemente nadie le estaba prestando atención. Era una viuda pobre. Probablemente tenía la cabeza inclinada. No estaba llamando la atención sobre sí misma porque tenía muy poco para dar. Lucas escribió sobre ella porque Jesús atrajo la atención de sus seguidores hacia ella. Sus acciones brillan porque reflejan la luz que Jesús está brillando sobre ellas. Así también deberían brillar nuestras vidas. Nuestras acciones importan porque nosotros le importamos a Jesús. Nuestra vida tiene sentido porque Jesús murió por nuestra salvación y a través de Él, tenemos vida. Ninguna cantidad de “likes”, clics o visibilidad cambiará el hecho de que Jesús ama radicalmente a cada uno de nosotros.
Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at DailyGraces.net.
Feature Image Credit: Emma Bauso, www.pexels.com/photo/girl-wearing-white-dress-2253896/
David Dashiell is a freelance author and editor in the Nashville, Tennessee area. He has three children, a degree in theology, and enjoys writing about philosophy, theology, culture, music, and comedy. You can find his personal blog, Serious Daydreams, on 
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. The 
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the older one who is fascinated with learning about his faith. He also has served on a Catholic school board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time at Diocesan, is a guest blogger on