She walked, as she had done many times in the past into the Temple forecourts. The elderly, poor woman reached the point at the top of the staircase where she had to make an offering, and put in into the ornate plate. No one really saw her amble in, no one were aware her climb the stairs, slowly; no one was paying attention to her.

She furtively rummaged around in her purse, and found two coins. It was all she had. She took the money and put the two pence into the offertory plate, paused momentarily to say a quiet prayer, and moved to one side, almost invisibly.

A moment later there was a loud commotion as a rich man walked up the staircase. He was dressed in the finest suit, and wore the most expensive and opulent jewelry. He saw the offertory plate on the side and pulled out a fistful on money – probably about $500 or £500, and paused – his hand and the money ‘frozen’ over the offertory place, long enough for all to see his generosity of wealth. Minutes later, with his ego satiated he dropped the money and moved off, noisily.

The Universe stooped to take a better look. Both the elderly, poor woman and the rich young man were in the Universe’s single gaze.

‘A reward is due’, the Universe thought, and without any delay a golden, radiant, loving ray of light beamed from the Universe’s smiling countenance. downward. But, to whom? Who was the recipient?

Unbeknownst to the elderly, poor woman, the Universe blessed her with its golden light as she been humble and given all what she had, whereas the rich young man held back a lot, and displayed his works in public.

—-oOo—

This was read at Tadhg’s Thought For The Day this morning at his live-streaming Facebook broadcast, but a few had asked for a printed version, and here it is. It is an ancient story that turns the world’s way of working on its head, and shows the Universe’s true ‘economy’ of love, and what is most important – a grateful and humble heart, connoting that small and intentional actions means the most.