Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” [Mark’s Gospel 12.41-44]

You can see them out of the corner or your eye. Those things, those people, we usually ignore or miss altogether. Every now and then, they catch our attention, but if we are stubborn enough, we can manage our awareness, so they don’t impinge.

It’s that person, that awkward conversation, that whisper in our heart of … something.

If we are foolish enough to read the gospels with intention, to read and listen and attend, they keep appearing. They usually remain nameless, but occasionally, like Bartimaeus, they get a guernsey. One climbs a tree, she pushes through the crowd, or he cries out, or they are lowered into our lap by those who love them and will risk everything. They cross our path, asking something of us.

On occasion, they catch our eye because they ask nothing. They embarrass, or shame, or astonish us. She anoints Jesus in adoration and blessing. He returns and gives thanks to one who is marked as enemy by culture and tradition.

She puts her last two coins into the offering.

There will be no money for grain, to make flour, then bread. She will not eat tonight. She puts all she has in the treasury bowl, when she should be free, encouraged, to make a withdrawal instead.

She catches Jesus’ eye, and we want to hear his words as a blessing. What if her giving is not submissive, or compliant, but an act of defiance, a radical act to challenge a system which demands her last two cents? What if she is prophetic, not defeated, amplifying Jesus’ indignance with her own action?

This is where Jesus leads us, if we are willing to follow. We discover the mercy and wisdom of people who live their lives in the shadow of our community, and yet the light of God’s Spirit.

If we follow Jesus, and pay attention, we will discern that these people frequently consigned to the corner of our eye are not objects of pity, but people of wonder and character and honour. And strength.

When you read her story, and imagine yourself paying attention to her giving, what will you do next?