Throughout the church, the bounty of nature’s harvest becomes our symbol for the final gathering of the saints. We are in our yearly “end-time,” a season in which we reflect on transitions and transformations, endings and beginnings. As we focus on Christ’s promised return and the new life that awaits his saints, we are reminded that we are all God’s harvest, the saints on earth and the saints above, in the mystical union of the body of Christ.

Widows are visible everywhere in today’s readings. Jesus denounces those scribes who pray impressive prayers but devour widows’ houses. He commends the poor widow who in his view gave far more than the major donors. Jesus doesn’t see her simply as an object of compassion or charity. She, like the widow of Zarephath who shares her last bit of food with Elijah, does something of great importance.