11 November, 2012
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time; St. Martin of Tours
FIRST READING
1 Kings 17:10–16
In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 146:7, 8–9, 9–10 (1b)
R. Praise the Lord, my soul! or R. Alleluia.
The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul! or R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul! or R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul! or R. Alleluia.
SECOND READING
Hebrews 9:24–28
Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.
ALLELUIA
Matthew 5:3
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Longer Form Mark 12:38–44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “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.”
or:
Shorter Form Mark 12:41–44
Jesus 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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