Readings: 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 71; Mark 12:38-44
Today, we continue our reflection on Paul’s counsel to Timothy. These counsels are very rich and apt for us.
Among the many things Paul says today, I want to focus on this:
“My life is already being poured out as a libation.”
By this, Paul meant that he had already offered himself totally to the Lord. He had emptied himself and surrendered all to God. There was nothing in him that he was still keeping for himself. His time, energy, gifts, sufferings, ambitions, and even his very life had all been placed at the disposal of God.
A libation was a drink offering poured completely upon the altar. Once poured out, it could not be taken back. Paul was saying that he belonged entirely to Christ.
This kind of self-offering is what the Lord expects of us – to empty ourselves of what is ours and allow God to fill us with what is His.
What does this look like in practice?
It means that our lives are no longer centred on ourselves. We stop asking only, “What do I want?” and begin asking, “What does God want?” It means pouring out our pride in order to embrace humility, pouring out our selfishness in order to love, pouring out our resentment in order to forgive, and pouring out our fears in order to trust God more completely.
This is precisely what the widow did in today’s Gospel. She gave to the Lord all she had to live on. She did not merely donate money; she surrendered herself. Many rich people gave large amounts, but they still retained control of their lives. The widow entrusted everything to God.
Many times we think God is sufficiently impressed by what we do or by what we contribute. We can become very active in the Church, generous in our donations, and involved in many good works. These things are important, but what God is ultimately interested in is whether or not we have genuinely emptied ourselves and surrendered to Him faithfully and completely. Who we are before God is more important than what we do for God. Activity and donation cannot replace total surrender of self.
Inspired by the example of St. Paul, the example of this widow, and most especially the example of our Blessed Mother, whose whole life was poured out in loving obedience to God, let us resolve to pour out our lives also like a libation to the Lord and give Him permission to be Lord over every nook and cranny of our lives.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on June 6, 2026.