November 8, 2015: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.” ( Mark 12:38-44)

Reflection

Jesus speaks to us about giving from our heart. Even though the rich scribes gave large sums of money, it was the generosity of the poor widow giving two coins that we hear about. Jesus is more interested in what is in our hearts, than the size of the gift. Jesus goes on to say. “This poor woman has given more than anyone. The others gave out of their wealth, but this woman gave all she had.”
Her offering is a sign of her deep love and total dependence on God.

Action

Generosity is not always about money. More importantly, generosity can be the sharing of our time and ourselves with others. It is the one gift that we can give another that costs nothing and means the world to those we give it to. With whom might we share our time, as well as ourselves, today?