November 24.  Bryan raised a point that he had been considering for some time. “Why is it that we most often think of “poor widows?” Do we not make proper provision for the time when one of us is going to be left?  I have tried to do my homework and make sure that while I am never going to be rich I will be able to look after myself in my old age.” Others contributed. “My pension is always used up to look after the grandchildren and even the children borrow money from me.”  “Nowadays in most cases the time has gone when the family will look after their elders. Sometimes they’re put into an old age home and just left there.”  “I am proud to say that although I have never been very well-off I am happy in my little cottage because the children visit regularly and I have many friends. If I can bring some sunshine into their lives I feel richly blessed.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture: “This poor widow has put in more than all of them. They contribute out of their abundance but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had. Luke 21:1-4   Pope Francis:  After the grieving process we have to help the person to realise that after the loss of a loved one, we still have a mission to carry out and that it does us no good to prolong the suffering. AL 255. The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor.  We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters. LS 2. Jubilee.  We, however, by virtue of the hope in which we were saved, can view the passage of time with the certainty that the history of humanity and our own individual history are not doomed to a dead end or a dark abyss, but directed to an encounter with the Lord of glory. As a result, we live our lives in expectation of his return and in the hope of living forever in him. In this spirit, we make our own the heartfelt prayer of the first Christians with which sacred Scripture ends: “Come, Lord Jesus!” ( Rev 22:20).  SNC19.   Act and Pray for compassionate concern for those suffering loss in their families.