Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 503
Lectionary: 503
Luke 21 : 1-4 |
I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion,
and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
I heard a sound from heaven
like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder.
The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne,
before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand
who had been ransomed from the earth.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
They have been ransomed as the first fruits
of the human race for God and the Lamb.
On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
I heard a sound from heaven
like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder.
The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne,
before the four living creatures and the elders.
No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand
who had been ransomed from the earth.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
They have been ransomed as the first fruits
of the human race for God and the Lamb.
On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord,
this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Gospel Lk 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, "I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, "I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
www.usccb.org
Meditation: "She put in all that she had"
Do you know
the joy of selfless giving and love for others? True 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 or wealth! Jesus
taught that real giving must come from the heart. A gift that is given with a
grudge or for display loses its value. But a gift given out of love, with a
spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is precious. 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 give out of love and gratitude for what God has
already given to you?"Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds and you give without measure. All that I have comes from you. May I give freely and generously in gratitude for all that you have given to me. Take my life and all that I possess – my gifts, talents, time and resources – and use them as you see fit for your glory."
www.dailyscripture.net
The Richest Gift |
Monday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary
Time
|
Father Edward
Hopkins, LC
Luke 21:1-4
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe
that you have blessed me with life and with a vibrant faith. Thank you. I
dedicate this time and prayer to you. I love you, and I offer you all that I
am and all that I have with the desire of becoming a joyful gift to you.
Petition: Lord, teach me to
share joyfully all that I have received!
1. Some Wealthy People: Jesus sat before the
temple treasury. What did Jesus see as he looked on? He saw more than we do.
He saw the heart. Wealth tends to captivate us with desire and enslave us
with concerns and worries. Jesus saw many hearts squeeze out just a couple
drops of their abundant security, a gesture that was neither painful nor
difficult. The act of fulfilling, or thinking they were fulfilling a duty to
God, caused them to glow with self-satisfaction. Some even were bloated with
pride for having given so much, and yet their act was empty of real
self-giving. They gave with routine indifference. Their giving lacked love.
What does Jesus see in my daily or weekly gifts? Do I generously give God my
all when I see him on the altar? Do I generously give him my all when I am on
my knees in prayer? Do I give him my all on my feet at work?
2. A Poor Widow: Only Jesus could have seen that this widow
was now reduced to total dependence on family or friends. She gave more
because she gave herself with a heart full of surrender. Is there anything we
can give God that he has not already given us? We can give God our trustful
surrender. The poor widow gave to God with trust since she knew that he would
continue to care for her. She had no other real desire but to be with him and
be enriched by him. Her giving was serene and resigned, not despairing, but
rather full of hope. She had the hope of one who knows deep down how much God
loves her. How much do I trust and depend on him, particularly when other
securities begin to disappear?
3. Offering My Whole Life: Jesus shows the great
importance of how we give—not only of what we give. What we have—our
possessions and those, which in some way we have made our own—are not for us.
We have them so that we might give them, and we should give them back to God,
for they are his. We give them as an expression of our love for God. I give
my life when I work diligently, practice charity, pray, or sacrifice for love
of Christ. All these acts of love, if not made explicit before, are made into
an intentional gift to Jesus, when I mentally place them upon the paten along
with the hosts to be consecrated during the Offertory at Mass. Do I give him
my whole life?
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, awaken me
to all you are for me, and let me realize all that you have given me. May I
never cease to thank you through my own self-giving. You are my living and
constant invitation to be more generous, to give more often and with more
love. Open my heart, Lord, to your work!
Resolution:In prayer, I will make a list of all that I can do for
Jesus this week and offer this to him. Then, on Sunday during the Offertory,
I will mentally place before him on the paten all the sacrifices I have made
during the week—my real gift to him, given with faith and love.
|
www.regnumchristi.com
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Thirty-Fourth or Last Week in Ordinary Time
LUKE 21:1-4
(Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest" (v 3).
READING: As Jesus taught in the Women's Court of the Temple, he observed a poor widow putting two mites (lepta, the smallest coins in circulation) into the treasury box. The widow gave every penny she had to live on, and placed her hope and trust in God. The charity of this lowly woman stood in sharp contrast to the prideful religious leaders who loved to be honored and respected for their generosity, yet failed to carry out the law that required them to care for God's poor (Lk 20:45-47). Jesus said that the woman's gift was worth more than the larger offerings of those who gave from their surplus wealth. The woman represents all the poor, the "anawim," who humbly depended upon God to supply their needs.
REFLECTING: Are there ways that I can serve the widowed in my parish?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be generous with my earthly goods.
Thirty-Fourth or Last Week in Ordinary Time
LUKE 21:1-4
(Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest" (v 3).
READING: As Jesus taught in the Women's Court of the Temple, he observed a poor widow putting two mites (lepta, the smallest coins in circulation) into the treasury box. The widow gave every penny she had to live on, and placed her hope and trust in God. The charity of this lowly woman stood in sharp contrast to the prideful religious leaders who loved to be honored and respected for their generosity, yet failed to carry out the law that required them to care for God's poor (Lk 20:45-47). Jesus said that the woman's gift was worth more than the larger offerings of those who gave from their surplus wealth. The woman represents all the poor, the "anawim," who humbly depended upon God to supply their needs.
REFLECTING: Are there ways that I can serve the widowed in my parish?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to be generous with my earthly goods.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face
‘She has
put in all she has …’Today’s reading tells of Jesus affirming the offering of a poor widow, who gave from her whole livelihood, not just what was surplus wealth. The teaching here is about self-sacrifice, renunciation, faith and commitment. How much it is against what our culture—our logic even—tells us to do!
What happens when we give our all? Give without counting the cost? Do we dare? How can we be generous today? May we be among those of pure heart who desire not worthless things. Today’s psalm invites us to enter into the images of God’s loving care—guiding, accompanying, blessing us.
www.churchresources.info
November 26
St. Leonard of Port Maurice
(1676-1751)
Leonard, called "the great
missionary of the 18th century" by St. Alphonsus Liguori, was another
Franciscan who tried to go to the foreign missions (China), failed at that and
succeeded tremendously in some other work.
Leonard’s father
was a ship captain whose family lived in Port Maurice on the northwestern coast
of Italy. At 13, Leonard went to Rome to live with his uncle Agostino and study
at the Roman College. Leonard was a good student and was destined for a career
in medicine. In 1697, however, he joined the Friars Minor, a decision that his
uncle opposed bitterly.
After ordination
Leonard contracted tuberculosis and was sent to his hometown to rest or perhaps
to die. He made a vow that if he recovered he would dedicate his life to the
missions and to the conversion of sinners. He soon was able to begin his
40-year career of preaching retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions
throughout Italy. His missions lasted 15 to 18 days, and he often stayed an
additional week to hear confessions. He said: "I believe that in those
days the real and greatest fruit of the mission is gathered. As much good is
done in these days as during the mission."
As a means of
keeping alive the religious fervor awakened in a mission, Leonard promoted the
Stations of the Cross, a devotion which had made little progress in Italy up to
this time. He also preached regularly on the Holy Name of Jesus.
Since he
realized that he needed time simply to pray alone, Leonard regularly made use
of the ritiros (houses of recollection) that he helped establish throughout
Italy.
Leonard was
canonized in 1867; in 1923 he was named patron of those who preach parish
missions.
Comment:
The success of someone who comes in and conducts a retreat or leads a citywide "crusade" depends on whether the fervor generated can be sustained over the long run. Changed lives make the difference. For Leonard, the Stations of the Cross and regular confession helped people maintain the personal reforms initiated during his preaching. When was the last time you prayed the Stations of the Cross?
The success of someone who comes in and conducts a retreat or leads a citywide "crusade" depends on whether the fervor generated can be sustained over the long run. Changed lives make the difference. For Leonard, the Stations of the Cross and regular confession helped people maintain the personal reforms initiated during his preaching. When was the last time you prayed the Stations of the Cross?
Quote:
St. Leonard once said, "If the Lord at the moment of my death reproves me for being too kind to sinners, I will answer, 'My dear Jesus, if it is a fault to be too kind to sinners, it is a fault I learned from you, for you never scolded anyone who came to you seeking mercy'" (Leonard Foley, O.F. M., St. Leonard of Port Maurice, p. 9).
www.americancatholic.orgSt. Leonard once said, "If the Lord at the moment of my death reproves me for being too kind to sinners, I will answer, 'My dear Jesus, if it is a fault to be too kind to sinners, it is a fault I learned from you, for you never scolded anyone who came to you seeking mercy'" (Leonard Foley, O.F. M., St. Leonard of Port Maurice, p. 9).
St. John Berchmans
Patron of Altar Servers
(1599 - 1621)
Eldest son of a shoemaker, John was born at Diest, Brabant. He early wanted to be a priest, and when thirteen became a servant in the household of one of the Cathedral canons at Malines, John Froymont. In 1615, he entered the newly founded Jesuit College at Malines, and the following year became a Jesuit novice. He was sent to Rome in 1618 to continue his studies, and was known for his diligence and piety, impressing all with his holiness and stress on perfection in little things. He died there on August 13. Many miracles were attributed to him after his death, and he was canonized in 1888. He is the patron of altar boys. His feast day is November 26.
www.catholic.org
LECTIO: LUKE 21,1-4
Lectio:
Monday,
November 26, 2012
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord,
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading -
Luke 21,1-4
Looking up, Jesus saw rich people putting
their offerings into the treasury; and he noticed a poverty-stricken widow
putting in two small coins, and he said, 'I tell you truly, this poor widow has
put in more than any of them; for these have all put in money they could spare,
but she in her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'
3) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel Jesus weaves the praise of
a poor widow who knows how to share more than the rich. Many poor people today
do the same. People say: “The poor do not let the poor starve to death”. But,
some times, even this is not possible. A woman who went to live out in the
country in the periphery of a city in Brazil, in Paraiba, said: “In the country
the people are poor, but they always have something to share with the poor who
knock at their door. Now that I am here in the city, when I see a poor person
who knocks on the door, I hide because I feel ashamed, because I have nothing
in the house to share with him!” On one side, there are rich people who have
everything but do not know how to share; on the other side, there are poor
people who have hardly anything, but who want to share the little they have.
• At the beginning, in the Church, the great majority the first Christian communities, were formed by poor people. (1 Co 1, 26). After a short time, well- to-do people also entered these communities, and this caused several problems. The social tensions which were present in the Roman Empire began to appear also in the life of the communities. That manifested itself, for example, when they met together to celebrate the supper (1Co 11, 20-22), or when they held the meeting (Jm 2, 1-4). This is why, the teaching of the act of the widow was very actual, both for them as well as for us today.
• Luke 21, 1-2: The widow’s mite. Jesus was before the treasure in the Temple and observed people who put their offering into the treasury. The poor put in a few pennies, the rich offerings of great value. The Treasury of the Temple received much money. All gave something for the maintenance of the worship, to support the clergy and for the preservation of the building. Part of this money was used to help the poor, because at that time there was no social security. The poor lived at the mercy of public charity. The persons who had the greatest needs were the orphans and the widows. They depended for everything on the charity of others, but even in this way, they tried to share with others the little that they had. Thus, a very poor widow put her offering into the treasury of the Temple; just two pennies!
• Luke 21, 3-4: The comment of Jesus. Which is worth more: the few pennies of the widow or the great amount of the rich? According to the majority, the money of the rich was more useful for charity, than the few pennies of the widow. For example, the disciples thought that the problem of the people could be resolved only with much money. On the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, they had suggested to buy bread to feed the people (Lk 9, 13; Mk 6, 37). Philip succeeded in saying: “Two-hundred denarii of bread are not sufficient even for everyone to have a piece of bread” (Jn 6, 7). In fact, for anyone who thinks like that, the two pennies of the widow do not serve for anything. But Jesus says: “I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them.” Jesus has diverse criteria. Calling the attention of the disciples on the act of the widow, he teaches them and us where we have to look for the manifestation of God’s will: in the poor and in sharing. This is a very important criterion: “In fact all these have put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in all she had to live on”.
• Alms, sharing, riches. The practice of giving alms was very important for the Jews. It was considered to be a “good work”, because the law of the Old Testament said: “Of course, there will never cease to be poor people in the country, and that is why I am giving you this command: Always be open handed with your brother, and with anyone in your country who is in need and poor” (Dt 15, 11). The alms put into the treasury of the Temple, whether for the worship or for the needy, orphans or widows, were considered a pleasing act to God (Eccl 35, 2; cf. Eccl 17, 17; 29, 12; 40, 24). To give alms was a way to recognize that all goods of the earth belong to God and that we are only the administrators of these gifts. But the tendency to accumulate continues to exist and is very strong; it always arises anew in the human heart. Conversion is always necessary. This is why Jesus said to the rich young man: “Go, sell all you possess, give it to the poor!” (Mk 10, 21). In the other Gospels the same requirement is repeated: “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it” (Lk 12, 33-34; Mt 6, 9-20). The practice of sharing and of solidarity is one of the characteristics which the Spirit of Jesus wants to realize in the community. The result of the effusion of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was that: “None of the members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them, to present it to the apostles” (Ac 4,34-35ª; 2,44-45). This money deposited at the feet of the Apostles was not accumulated but “it was then distributed to any who might be in need” (Ac 4, 35 b; 2, 45). The entry of the rich into the Christian communities on the one side rendered possible the expansion of Christianity, providing better conditions for the missionary voyages. But on the other side, the tendency to accumulate blocked the movement of solidarity and of sharing. James helped people to become aware if they were following a mistaken path: “Well now you rich! Lament, weep for the miseries that are coming to you. Your wealth is rotting; your clothes are all moth-eaten.” (Jm 5,1-3). To undertake the way to the Kingdom, all need to become pupils of that poor widow, who shared with others that which was necessary for her living (Lk 21, 4).
• At the beginning, in the Church, the great majority the first Christian communities, were formed by poor people. (1 Co 1, 26). After a short time, well- to-do people also entered these communities, and this caused several problems. The social tensions which were present in the Roman Empire began to appear also in the life of the communities. That manifested itself, for example, when they met together to celebrate the supper (1Co 11, 20-22), or when they held the meeting (Jm 2, 1-4). This is why, the teaching of the act of the widow was very actual, both for them as well as for us today.
• Luke 21, 1-2: The widow’s mite. Jesus was before the treasure in the Temple and observed people who put their offering into the treasury. The poor put in a few pennies, the rich offerings of great value. The Treasury of the Temple received much money. All gave something for the maintenance of the worship, to support the clergy and for the preservation of the building. Part of this money was used to help the poor, because at that time there was no social security. The poor lived at the mercy of public charity. The persons who had the greatest needs were the orphans and the widows. They depended for everything on the charity of others, but even in this way, they tried to share with others the little that they had. Thus, a very poor widow put her offering into the treasury of the Temple; just two pennies!
• Luke 21, 3-4: The comment of Jesus. Which is worth more: the few pennies of the widow or the great amount of the rich? According to the majority, the money of the rich was more useful for charity, than the few pennies of the widow. For example, the disciples thought that the problem of the people could be resolved only with much money. On the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, they had suggested to buy bread to feed the people (Lk 9, 13; Mk 6, 37). Philip succeeded in saying: “Two-hundred denarii of bread are not sufficient even for everyone to have a piece of bread” (Jn 6, 7). In fact, for anyone who thinks like that, the two pennies of the widow do not serve for anything. But Jesus says: “I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them.” Jesus has diverse criteria. Calling the attention of the disciples on the act of the widow, he teaches them and us where we have to look for the manifestation of God’s will: in the poor and in sharing. This is a very important criterion: “In fact all these have put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in all she had to live on”.
• Alms, sharing, riches. The practice of giving alms was very important for the Jews. It was considered to be a “good work”, because the law of the Old Testament said: “Of course, there will never cease to be poor people in the country, and that is why I am giving you this command: Always be open handed with your brother, and with anyone in your country who is in need and poor” (Dt 15, 11). The alms put into the treasury of the Temple, whether for the worship or for the needy, orphans or widows, were considered a pleasing act to God (Eccl 35, 2; cf. Eccl 17, 17; 29, 12; 40, 24). To give alms was a way to recognize that all goods of the earth belong to God and that we are only the administrators of these gifts. But the tendency to accumulate continues to exist and is very strong; it always arises anew in the human heart. Conversion is always necessary. This is why Jesus said to the rich young man: “Go, sell all you possess, give it to the poor!” (Mk 10, 21). In the other Gospels the same requirement is repeated: “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it” (Lk 12, 33-34; Mt 6, 9-20). The practice of sharing and of solidarity is one of the characteristics which the Spirit of Jesus wants to realize in the community. The result of the effusion of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was that: “None of the members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them, to present it to the apostles” (Ac 4,34-35ª; 2,44-45). This money deposited at the feet of the Apostles was not accumulated but “it was then distributed to any who might be in need” (Ac 4, 35 b; 2, 45). The entry of the rich into the Christian communities on the one side rendered possible the expansion of Christianity, providing better conditions for the missionary voyages. But on the other side, the tendency to accumulate blocked the movement of solidarity and of sharing. James helped people to become aware if they were following a mistaken path: “Well now you rich! Lament, weep for the miseries that are coming to you. Your wealth is rotting; your clothes are all moth-eaten.” (Jm 5,1-3). To undertake the way to the Kingdom, all need to become pupils of that poor widow, who shared with others that which was necessary for her living (Lk 21, 4).
4) Personal
questions
• Which are the difficulties and the joys that
you find in your life in practicing solidarity and sharing with others?
• How is it that the two pennies of the widow can be worth more than the large amounts of the rich? Which is the message of this text for us today?
• How is it that the two pennies of the widow can be worth more than the large amounts of the rich? Which is the message of this text for us today?
5) Concluding prayer
Be sure that Yahweh is God, he made us,
we belong to him, his people,
the flock of his sheepfold. (Ps 100,3)
www.ocarm.orgwe belong to him, his people,
the flock of his sheepfold. (Ps 100,3)
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