Activity I

1. Read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along.
2. Discuss the focus and reflection questions with them as a class.

Focus Questions Answer Key

1. The scribes were important leaders in Jesus’ time. What did Jesus warn about them? Jesus was warning us to make sure that the sacrifices we make and our religious practices are done for the right reasons, not to attract attention and praise, but to honor God authentically.
2. What did Jesus and the disciples see while sitting outside the treasury? Jesus and the disciples observed many rich people giving large amounts of money to the Temple collection. Then, they observed a poor widow give two coins, nearly all she had.
3. Why was what the poor widow gave better than that of the rich even though it was a smaller amount? What the poor widow gave was a greater sacrifice than that of the rich. She gave not of her excess or left overs, but out of all that she had.
4. What does this Gospel story teach us about how we should give to the poor? Our own giving to the poor should be done for the right reasons. Our sacrifices should be true sacrifices.

Activity II

1. Have students complete the The Widow’s Mite Spot the Differences activity.
2. Tell your students to compare the two versions of the painting The Widow’s Mite by James Tissot and find 10 differences between the two images.
3. Have them circle the differences.

Activity I 

1. Have students read the Gospel passage, or read it aloud to your students, and then answer the focus and reflection questions.
2. You may have students answer them on their own or you may discuss them together as a class.
3. Review and discuss the answers to the focus questions. 

Focus Questions Answer Key

1. The scribes were well-respected religious figures in Jewish society. At first glance, Jesus’ warning about them seems odd. What exactly was Jesus warning about? Jesus was warning us to make sure that the sacrifices we make and our religious practices are done for the right reasons, not to attract attention and praise, but to honor God authentically.
2. What did Jesus and the disciples observe while sitting outside the treasury? Jesus and the disciples observed many rich people giving large amounts of money to the Temple collection. Then, they observed a poor widow give two coins, nearly all she had.
3. Why was the poor widow’s contribution seemingly better than that of the rich even though it was a smaller sum? The poor widow’s contribution represented a greater sacrifice than that of the rich. She gave not of her excess, but all that she had.
4. What does this Gospel story suggest about our own alms giving (giving to the poor and other acts of charity)? Our own alms giving and acts of charity should be done for the right reasons. Our sacrifices should be true sacrifices.

Activity II

1. In pairs or trios, have your students reflect on the painting The Widow’s Mite by James Tissot using the image and discussion questions from The Widow’s Mite.

The Widow’s Mite by James Tissot Discussion Questions and Answer Key

1. What stands out to you about this work of art? Accept reasoned answers.
2. How does this painting illustrate the Gospel story of the Poor Widow’s Contribution? This painting depicts the poor widow’s contribution from this Sunday’s Gospel. It is clear from this depiction that the widow has already made her offering and is leaving the Temple area. Jesus has called His disciples’ attention to her, just as the rich are still putting their offerings into the collection.
3. What do you think happened in the moments before the scene portrayed in this painting? What do you think happened in the moments after? Accept reasoned answers.
4. What is different in this painting than what is told in the Scripture story? Why do you think the artist chose to include these differences? The widow in the painting has a young child. This is not told in the Gospel story. Perhaps the artist was making the widows contribution even more meaningful since the money she gave was not only a sacrifice for her but also her child. This showed her faith in God’s ability to care for her and child’s needs
5. Where is the attention of Jesus and the disciples? What does the posture and facial expression of this person reveal about their feelings about the situation? Jesus and His disciples are looking in the direction of the widow as she leaves, and not at the rich man. The widow’s posture and facial expression indicates she does not want attention for her offering. It appears she is trying to leave quickly and shield her face and her child’s from being recognized.

Activity III

Conclude by having students read about our obligation to offer sacrifice in our own lives and answer the reflection questions from The Common Priesthood of the Faithful.

Common Priesthood of the Faithful Answer Key 

1. By virtue of our baptism, what do we share in? Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers.
2. What is the task of the “royal priesthood,” or the “common priesthood of all believers”? To declare the wonderful deeds of God.
3. What are we called to offer as a “consecrated…holy priesthood”?  Spiritual sacrifices.