November 10, 2024: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (Carmelite Lectionary)

While he was teaching, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes who like to go about in long robes and to have salutations in the market place and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury.

Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. He called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.  For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.”

Reflection

Once again Jesus points out the hypocrisy of the scribes, the teachers of Mosaic Law. Because of their scholarship they have it over the common folk who are not versed in Hebrew law. And, often they used their knowledge to lord it over others; and many times they did not practice what they preached. 

By contrast, Jesus points out the poor widow who gave all she had. Her two coins, equivalent to a penny, were more than the much larger contributions of those who had an abundance of resources and were not lacking in their personal needs or wants as a result of their donations.

What are possible lessons in this gospel for us? One for me is that no matter what I have by way of personal knowledge or other resources, I am to see all as gift. Nothing I possess is ultimately mine. God is the source of my blessings. My challenge is to discern how I am to use what I have received from our gratuitous God for the good of others.

Another lesson is to respect and honor what others contribute. I never know what underlies the giving of another person. All I know is what I can and should do with what I have been given.

Action

During this week let us assess our resources, personal skills and talents included. What more is asked of me, of you?  And don’t forget at the conclusion of the reflection to offer a prayer of gratitude to God for the blessings.