FIRST READING
2nd Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 4:1-8
Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 71:8-9, 14-15ab, 16-17, 22
R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day. Cast me not off in my old age; as my strength fails, forsake me not.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
But I will always hope and praise you ever more and more. My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord; O GOD, I will tell of your singular justice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre, for your faithfulness, O my God! I will sing your praises with the harp, O Holy One of Israel!
R. I will sing of your salvation.
ALLELUIA
Matthew 5:3
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
REFLECTIONS:
What is true religion and devotion to God? Jesus
warns his disciples against the wrong kind of religion. In his denunciation
of the scribes (the religious experts of his day), he warns against three
things: the desire for prominence rather than selfless service; the desire
for deference and recognition (and seeking esteem from others) rather than
seeking to promote the good of others through humble service and love;
and thirdly, attempting to use ones position (even a religious position)
for self-gain and self-advancement. True religion is relating rightly to
God and to ones neighbor with love, honor, and respect. The Lord puts
his Holy Spirit within us that we may be filled with the joy of his presence,
the joy of true worship, and the joy of selfless giving and love for others.
True reverence for God frees the heart to give liberally, both to God and
to neighbor.
Jesus taught his disciples a dramatic lesson in giving with love. Love
doesn't calculate; it spends lavishly! Jesus drove this point home to his
disciples while sitting in the temple and observing people offering their
tithes. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest of coins in contrast
with the rich who gave greater sums. How can someone in poverty give more
than someone who has ample means? Jesus' answer is very simple: love is
more precious than gold! Jesus taught that real giving must come from the
heart. A gift that is given with a grudge or for display loses most of
its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and
sacrifice, is invaluable. The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter
as much as the cost to the giver. The poor widow could have kept one of
her coins, but instead she recklessly gave away all she had! Jesus praised
someone who gave barely a penny how insignificant a sum because it
was everything she had, her whole living. What we have to offer may look
very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord's
disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with
it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Do you know the joy and freedom
of giving liberally to God and to neighbor with gratitude and love?
"Lord Jesus, all that I have is yours. Take my life, my possessions,
my time and all that I have and use them as you desire for your glory."
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