The daily Word of God
Monday, November 24th, 2025
Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his Companions, Martyrs
Lk 21:1–4 "This poor widow put in more than all the rest;"
First Reading: Dn 1:1–6,8–20
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and some of the vessels of the temple of God;
he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.
The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood
and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
handsome, intelligent and wise,
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
such as could take their place in the king’s palace;
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
after three years’ training they were to enter the king’s service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine
from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.
But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
with the king’s food or wine;
so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
“I am afraid of my lord the king;
it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
by comparison with the other young men of your age,
you will endanger my life with the king.”
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
“Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see.”
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
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.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king’s service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R./ Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”
R./ Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.”
R./ Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”
R./ Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”
R./ Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.”
R./ Glory and praise for ever!
Gospel Reading: Lk 21:1–4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, “I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Small Change Matters
When we’re about to give or pay something—whether it’s money, time, or effort—we usually make a kind of internal budget. Will we have enough left for everything else we need to do? Does this fit into our plan, alongside the things that bring us personal benefit? Normally, we don’t give “recklessly.”
So when we look at this widow in the Gospel, who really does seem to give recklessly, we might be tempted to form different interpretations—some of them a bit cynical. Does she give because she’s careless or not very forward-thinking? Does she give because this might be the last thing she does before dying and she no longer cares? Or does she give her two small coins—the only thing she likely had—hoping God will pity her and bless her with more?
Since the Gospel doesn’t explain it, let’s simply stay with the idea that she gives out of pure generosity and love. And that must be the right interpretation, because Jesus praises her.
Each of us can be that widow, in all her variations. And we always have to look at our own motivations. The highest motivation—the one rooted in pure generosity—is the noblest, the one we probably wish we had all the time. But it’s not always the case.
Maybe the more important question is: What are our two small coins?
What do we have—material things, talents, or time—that we want or need to take care of responsibly? What are the things we tend to hold onto the most? How should we budget our time, money, and abilities? What can we “trade with”? What do we think is useless and therefore discardable?
Maybe if we really looked closely at our two coins, we’d realize we have far more than just two—some necessary, some not so much. But the call remains the same: to give until the very end—not only what we don’t need, not only the small change, but even the last drop.
Today’s Gospel is often paired in the Lectionary with the story of Elijah’s widow, who gave her last bit of oil and flour as an act of ultimate surrender before dying. But she didn’t die. The bread multiplied.
Whenever we look honestly and sincerely, we will see that what we have given—sometimes with effort, and fearing we’ll lose everything—comes back to us multiplied. And then giving again becomes a joyful experience, strengthened by the certainty of so much grace and life poured out upon us.
Cármen Fernández Aguinaco ANDREW, DUNG-LAC and COMPANIONS,
Martyrs from Vietnam
Optional Memorial
November 24
Introduction
St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his 116 companions were martyred when Christians in Vietnam were persecuted from 1625 to 1886. Among them were twenty-one foreign missionaries. Thirty-seven of the Vietnamese were priests and 59 were lay people. Rather than renounce the faith, they chose to suffer countless suffering and dreadful torture. Andrew Dung-Lac, who represents the group, was a diocesan priest, who was beheaded in 1839. The group was canonized on 19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II.
Opening Prayer
Our living and loving God,
you commanded us to proclaim the Good News
throughout the world,
that everyone may know your offer of life and love.
Through the life and witness of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions,
the message of salvation was proclaimed;
they did live in the world
but chose to live not of this world.
May the prayers of these martyrs help us
to stand firm in the midst of the present world,
and to give witness to your love and justice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
your Son came to live in our midst
to be the living bread
that gives life and strength to us,
even as he shared with us his words
of love and hope.
Let Jesus be our hope,
that we may never waver in our faith
and be strong in witnessing
that he is our Lord and Savior for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
we have celebrated the strength and determination
of your martyrs who stood firm in their faith.
Grant us that same determination and courage
to be living witnesses to your love and justice
for our sisters and brothers.
Make us strong and able to love you,
even as you have loved us
through Christ, our Lord.
