The jar of oil is, in other translations, called a “cruse” and it was this name that a group of widows chose when they set up a mutual support group. It reminded them of the difficulties of widowhood - but also o the fact that human beings often find that when things are at the worst, their resources do not fail them.

Being a widow in contemporary society is not easy - it is not a return to a single life but, for a long time, feels like living as half a person. For most, though, there is a financial security which was not always offered in previous generations.

 

In the Scriptures, widows are often used to represent those who are powerless. With no husband to provide for them, it could be a bleak existence - especially if there were children to be cared for.

 

The incident in today’s First Reading picks up on the Gospel’s theme of the generosity of a widow except in this case, it is provision of a meal which uses all the food and oil she has left. After this, she fully expects that she and her son will die.

 

Of course, we know the happy ending - her flour and oil do not run out - but she had no way of knowing that beforehand. Yes, Elijah had said it would be so - but such things do not really happen, do they?

 

It is often the case that those with least are the most generous. Perhaps their own plight sensitises them to what real need means - if you have gone hungry yourself, you are likely to have greater compassion on another than someone who has not experienced it. You will also be aware of how little it can take to make a difference: a hungry person will welcome a simple scone; a naked person will welcome anything that keeps them warm; a lonely person will welcome even a smile.

 

As the two widows in our readings have shown - generosity in little things is recognised as great in the eyes of God.