Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflection by Fr. Jerome Guevara, SJ
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark 12: 38 – 44
Did you notice what Jesus noticed during the giving of alms in the temple treasury?
He did not give notice to the big quantities given by the rich, but rather, the quality of giving of the poorest of the poor.
No doubt, Jesus must have also read and reflected upon the story of the Widow in the 1st book of Kings (17: 10 – 16), which happens to be today’s 1st Reading too. He must have noticed the similarity between the Widow before Him in the present and that Widow of Ancient Scriptures who gave her last portion of flour and oil to prepare a meal for a prophet of God who asked for this. Reassured by the Word of God through this prophet Elijah to “not be afraid,” she trusted in what he said, that her resources would not run empty nor run dry until the Lord sends rain upon the earth. She now more confidently put God’s Word into action and gave everything she had.
Jesus not only lauded in words what the poor widow gave, but He Himself, eventually followed her example, by giving His entire self, His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity,
Indeed, His whole Holy Life offered upon the Cross as Our Eucharistic Altar of Sacrifice and Mercy.
What could the Word of God be asking us to give today, or starting today, for the next few days, until he sends another rain of graces upon our earth?
Lord, teach us to be generous,
to serve you as we should,
… to give and not to count the cost ..
… to labor for no reward,
except of knowing that we are doing Your Most Holy Will.
In the Holy Name of Jesus we pray,
AMDG.
Amen.
No comments: