Reflections:
A Prayer of Trust
Preserve me God, I take refuge in you.
My happiness lies in you alone.
You are my portion and my cup,
you yourself are my prize.
I keep you ever in my sight,
even at night you direct my heart.
With you at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
from Psalm 15
The Widow and The Collection
Jewish people have always been very generous to the poor.
In the time of Jesus there were collection boxes outside the
Temple. They were containers with large horns, like old fashioned
phonographs, and were called the "Trumpets."
Proceeds from these boxes help provide food and other assistance.
There was a custom of dropping in money in each
as an offering to God.
One elderly woman places in a few shekels, a trifling amount.
Jesus cites her example to the apostles. The widow's offering
may be small, but it is all that she has. Christ contrasts it with
the larger donations given by the rich. Their gifts are small
compared to their wealth.
Saint Veronica
Saint Veronica is known as the woman who offered a cloth
to Jesus so He could wipe His face on the way to His crucifixion.
The image of His face was subsequently imprinted
on the cloth. The cloth is believed to exist today in the
Vatican and is considered one of the most treasured relics
of the Church.
Her icons show a woman holding a cloth
upon which the face of Christ is imprinted. If you visit the
Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece cathedral in
Barcelona, Spain, you will find her image carved in stone
on the south side above the exit from the church. She is
the patron of laundry workers and photographers. She is
honored with a feast on July 12.
You can find out more about St. Veronica or any of your
favorite saints at:
https://www.catholic.org/saints
