The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Four days before Christmas, I woke up to a throbbing sensation along my jawline and cried out in pain. After several trips to the dentist, it was discovered that one of my teeth was dying from the inside out and I would need surgery to extract it. I didn’t have dental insurance and I didn’t have much money saved up. The pain was so intense that I scheduled the surgery as soon as possible, and I was astounded when they told me how much it would cost.
I remember feeling so much fear, and asking God, “How am I going to afford this? Why is this happening to me?” I was in my early twenties and had never been good with saving money. I always saw my funds as more of a means for enjoying life and having fun. (Yes, I have a sanguine temperament!) What followed was a year long journey of learning how to budget, save, and spend wisely. The most surprising part of it was the great joy and fulfillment this brought to my life. As simple as a dental procedure may seem, this whole experience really taught me a great lesson. In all of these things, I needed trust that God would provide.
In today’s readings, we meet two women who intimately encounter the generous, merciful heart of God. We have the widow who gave water and bread to Elijah, and the widow who gave all she had to the treasury. Each of these women trusted that God would provide for their needs, free falling into His mercy. And truly, God sees all of our needs and tends to each of them with love and tender compassion.
What we may see as insignificant, God knows and cares about with the heart of a loving Father. Psalm 37:23 tells us that He delights in each and every detail of our lives. From my own life experiences, I have come to believe that sometimes God wants to provide for us, and He is simply waiting for us to ask. It could be a financial need, a broken relationship, a health issue, an unmet desire, or a lack or virtue needed to live out a life of service and love. What is lacking, and where can we ask Him to meet us and fill the gaps? His mercy and love are abundant and He can fill us to overflowing. We simply need to ask and be open to what He has for us.
Lord, reveal to us where we are lacking and fill us with You. May we see Your hands working in our lives as You provide, and may we leave our worries and concerns in Your hands. You are a loving Father, and you delight in every detail of our lives!
Katherine is a musician and writer, playing music and writing with her sisters in the band Cimorelli for over 15 years. Cimorelli is an internationally acclaimed band who has written and recorded several albums, toured in many countries around the world, and published a book, Believe In You: Big Sister Stories and Advice on Living Your Best Life. Katherine lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Max, and their three young sons.