(Dn.1:1-6,8-20; Dn.3:52-56; Lk.21:1-4)
"To these four young men God gave knowledge
and proficiency in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams."
God is the giver of all good gifts; all is a gift from God. Whatever we give to Him can only seem paltry to Him "who look[s] into the depths from [His] throne upon the cherubim." But He makes any gift we give, anything we do, great by His heavenly grace.
All our offerings are as the widow's – but a couple of copper coins – even if we give vast wealth from our surplus. What is anything we offer in the sight of God, who owns the world and all that is in it, who sits "in the firmament of heaven"? So the size matters not. But when we give our paltry gift with a heart of faith, in answer to the love He gives us, how great our gift then becomes. For this He blesses. This He looks upon with favor. This He sees as He glances up; for it is the heart He looks upon and measures. It cannot but be that the widow gave her offering out of love, out of her deep faith in God. How could one become bereft of all riches if one did not believe in Him who surpasses all?
And is it not Daniel and the young men's faith which God does bless with His gifts of wisdom and prudence? Because "Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king's food or wine" sacrificed to his pagan gods, God first blesses him and his companions with exceptional health. Though they eat food that is poor as the widow's offering, yet "they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table" – again, because all gifts, including that of health, are in God's hands and not in the things themselves. And God's gift of knowledge and understanding is a reward for their faith in Him as well; they give themselves to Him in obedience and He who holds all such light of wisdom in "the temple of [His] holy glory," who is "exalted above all forever" – which the young men readily recognize – grants them His favors by His grace.
What gift have we to give? What paltry sum have we to offer? Let it be as the two fish the boy offered in faith and generosity to the Lord (Jn.6:9), and with it He will feed five thousand. Let it be as the two coins jangling in the widow's pocket, and with it He will build a home for you in heaven. Let it be given in the faith of the four young men and God will bless it and reveal Himself at work in you.
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