9th Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 10th June 2023

At the end of the Book of Tobit, Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ever ready in the presence of the glory of the Lord, reveals to Tobit and his family who he really is. He has been journeying with Tobit’s son, Tobias, and helping him. Now that he has fulfilled his role, he says, “It is right to keep the secret of a king, yet right too to reveal the works of God worthily.” Tobit’s family now has to see in retrospect the wonders God has done for them all this while.

In like manner, Jesus, in the Gospel, points out the action of the poor widow. She comes and puts in two small coins, which shows that she has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she, from the little she had, has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on. This small action would have gone unnoticed unless Jesus highlighted it. This small action is a wonder of God because God moves the poor widow to put in all she has, and it potentially becomes something people can learn from.

Are there many things in our lives that we would not have noticed that are the works of God? Therefore, we need to have a heart and mind to see, in retrospect, God’s wonders in our daily lives. The Ignatian Examen is one helpful way to notice God’s wonderful active presence in our daily lives. Practise it, cherish it, and see God’s ever-active presence.

Lord, I am thankful for Your actions in my life; and I want to be more aware of Your active presence constantly.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Third Day (10th June): Listening Heart