The nun walked leisurely, yet purposefully through the village streets as was her habit on any given summer's afternoon. Children who'd been playing or squabbling in and among the homes lining the way, pulled in behind her, almost as if she was the Pied Piper. She smiled serenely as one after another joined the procession.On they marched right up the hill at the end of the village, singing a song the nun had taught them.
"We give praise,
We give thanks,
To the Lord who sent His Son ..."*
They climbed until they reached an open meadow. The nun lay down on the grassy carpet, gazed up at the sky, watching the clouds gently play. She watched as the kaleidoscipe of shifting shapes whispered her asleep.
The children sat cross-legged in a circle around her, almost like terracotta sentinals, guarding her. When they saw the nun's eyes slowly blink, then close, and stay closed, they too, fell back and watched the clouds lullaby them to dreamland.
About an hour later the nun awoke refreshed. She smiled upon the sleeping village children. How dear they are, well, mostly. Haha, she chuckled to herself. "No, really, l know God loves them, each and every one despite their mischief," she schooled herself.
She woke them then, singing softly, then building to greater gusto,
"We give praise,
We give thanks,
To the Lord who sent His Son
We sing songs, we rejoice for the battle
He has won..."*
When they had all sat up and rubbed the sleep from their eyes, the nun jumped up, the children following suit.
"What game will we play today, Sister Magdalena?" they chorused with the eager vigor of youth.
"Let me see ... how about we start with 'Ring around the Rosie' for the littlest ones here. Form a circle, hold hands, now circle clockwise. They began, "Ring around the rosie, a pocketful of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down," they chanted as thy tumbled to the ground.
"Again, again" the little ones shouted.
And so they did again and again until they were giggling and laughing whole heartedly.
After some time, Sister Magdelena asked, "What's next?"
"How about the parade one, sister?" bellowed mischievous Tommy. Billy, his brother, equally loud shouted, "Yes! Yes! The parade one."
"Okay," agreed the nun.
They all knew what to do, so they formed a straight line, their hands on the shoulders of the playmate ahead of them. Tommy claimed the head of the line while Sister Magdelena rounded up the end of the queue just to oversee the children, although this arrangement wouldn't last long.
"Everybody ready?" yelled Tommy.
"YES!" the queque shouted back.
"Ok, you all know what to do. Remember when I say, "Change!" you have to turn around and place your hands on the new person ahead of you. Got it?"
"YES!" was the shouted response.
"Alright, march! Left, left, left, right, left. Let's sing, "Oh when the saints, go marching in, Oh when the saints go marching in, CHANGE!" commanded Tommy.
Now he was the caboose and Sister Magdalena was the engine. She took up the song, barely breaking marching rhythm, "O Lord, I'm glad to be in that, CHANGE!"
Another chaotic change after change ensued until once again they were all convulsed in laughter, trying to catch their breath as they lolled on the meadow grasses.
As their pulses returned to normal, the nun collected herself and organized the children into yet another circle. "Storytime," she said pleasantly. "But before that, first things first," she said. And out of the secret recesses of her habit, and as if she was some sort of illusionist, the nun conjured some sweets. Today's treat was butterscotch candies. She passed them around before she began.
The children quieted. Sister Magdalena was a really good storyteller and as she began to speak, the children quieted even more, listening intently.
"Today is about the lady, a widow with two small coins. Does anyone know what a widow is?"
Little Charlotta raised her hand, "Yeth," she lisped. "My Momma isth a widow. Daddy died and now Momma doesn't hath a huthband." finished Charlotta matter-of-factly.
The nun swallowed and with a catch in her voice, said gently, "Yes, Charlotta, that's correct."
She went on to explain that that Bible widow only had those two coins and no more. Where would she get money to eat?
Billy and Tommy vied to answer and raised their hands simultaneously, "Oh, oh, oh, ask me, ask me," they competed.
"Well Billy, we'll ask you first since you are the younger brother," said Sister M, amused.
"Maybe she would collect tin cans and plastic bottles to sell for recycling" he answered innocently enough.
Tommy pushed Billy over with a jab from his elbow, "Nah, Sister M, how could that be, they didn't have those things back then. Right?"
"That's true, Tommy, but Billy good try. Maybe there were other things they could recycle back then," countered the nun.
Sweet little Jessie, Tommy and Billy's baby sister, piped up, "Sister M, I think Jesus looked after her."
"Well now, that's a good thought Jessie," the nun praised her. "Indeed, Jesus says He'll supply all our need." (see Philippians 4:19)
That widow gave out of a heart of love for God. She was not stingy. She gave her offering freely, whether or not God or other people would help her out afterwards."
"Jesus had told the disciples they were supposed to look after the poor. The church is supposed to, too. And we can help each other out as well," added the nun (see 1 Timothy 5:3-16).
Then she asked, "How many of you get allowance money from your parents?"
Not all the childrens' hands went up but most did.
"Okay, then how much would you be willing to take out of that allowance to offer to Jesus to help out the poor like that widow?"
"No, Tommy, don't say anything yet. I do want to hear from each of you children who put up your hands. Think quietly for a minute then I'll ask each of you in turn," instructed the nun.
In turn, each of the children gave an answer. Most said they'd be willing to give but only one said they'd give all. The nun was touched. She said, "That is wonderful, children. But don't just simply give to everyone who asks for help. You need to be good stewards of your money because all comes from God and He wants you to spend it right. Sometimes people might trick you and they really don't need the money. They spend on things they shouldn't. Ask Jesus if it's okay to give to that person first."
"Also, don't give because everyone else is giving. Don't give to show off like those very rich did that time Jesus was watching but as the widow with her two coins. Give because you have a willing heart like the widow's, out of love for Jesus and other people in need. Give, even secretly."
"Actually, you don't have to give as money, did you know that children?"
"NO!" shouted Tommy and Billy together.
"You could buy the item or food needed and give to the person or family. What do you think?" queried Sister Magdelena.
A flurry of answers broke out from the group.
"Those are all good ideas, children." the nun said cheerily. "These are all ways to think about. I have homework for you; it's due tomorrow!"
"Gro-o-an-n-n! Sister Magdelena, why?! It's summer holidays, not school time," the children grumbled.
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the nun. "Don't worry, it's not difficult. I want you to be on the look out when you go home and even tomorrow morning. Find someone in need and report to me tomorrow afternoon. I want to hear some good news. Also be thinking of how you think the children of this village can help. Got it?"
"YES!' chorused the children.
"Okay, then, it's time to head down," said the nun, as she got up and began the trek home. The children fell in line behind her, tired but very happy, their minds already busily thinking ahead to their homework task.
~ ERC July 2025 ~
Based on Mark 12:41-44; Philippians 4:19.
*Sing, We Give Praise, We Give Thanks, along with Miss Kelly.
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