Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 155
Lectionary: 155
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.
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 Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
R. (1b) 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.
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.
Reading 2 Heb 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.
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.
Gospel Mk 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."
"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."
OrMk 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."
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."
www.usccb.org
Scripture Study
November 11, 2012 Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
This week the readings call upon us to consider the meaning
of giving. The widow in the first reading and the widow in the Gospel each give
a significant portion of what they have. Their gifts to Elijah and to the
Temple require sacrifice to the point of impacting their ability to feed
themselves. The second reading reminds us that Jesus surrendered Himself completely
to the Father on the cross. The same Spirit that moved the widows to give with
selfless gratitude and trust in God calls us into the continuing intercessional
prayer of Jesus. This same Spirit seeks to draw us into Jesus' self-giving at
our weekly Eucharistic celebration as Jesus continues His intercession and
calls us forward to continue His work in today's world. How well do I listen to
the call? How well do I try to live it?
NOTES on First Reading:
* 17:10-16 Chapters17 and 18 deal with a
struggle between Yahweh and Baal for the loyalty of Israel. Baal was the god of
storms and fertility. Chapter 17 opens with Elijah proclaiming a drought which
was a direct assault on the Baalist religion. He then obediently goes to
Zarephath where God told him to go. This set of stories about Elijah establish
the second major theme of these chapters which is a portrait of prophetic life.
The development of the motif of "word" throughout chapter 17 provides
a glimpse of the relationship between God and His prophets. Zaraphath was a
Sidonian town in territory widely acknowledged to belong to Baal not Yahweh.
Even there, in "enemy" territory, Yahweh's power brought drought and
His protection surrounded Elijah. 17:10-11 The drought, of course, hurts
everyone including Elijah and the woman in the story. Elijah asks for two very
precious commodities during a drought. He asks for water and for food.
* 17:12 The woman protests that she has
nothing. She was about to cook the last meal for herself and her son and they
would then wait for death which she fully expected to come.
* 17:13 Elijah approves the widow's
"word" but adds a qualification. She can do as she said right after
she brings him what he asked for. He then adds a divine assurance to his
statement to the woman. When she acts in accordance to that word of God spoken
by Elijah, the assurance spoken by Elijah comes to pass.
* 17:14 The theme of "word " was
introduced in the first few verses of this chapter as a divine word of power is
spoken by Elijah (17:1) and then Elijah's power to speak for God is validated
by his obedience to the word of God (17:3). Now the widow hears another
"word" spoken by Elijah and obeys it, thereby gaining God's favor.
Her obedience in giving away what she herself could little afford to spare was
an act of faith in God's ability to care for her.
NOTES on Second Reading:
* 9:24 The Greek word for used here is
"antitype" which is used in the sense of copy. See also 7:25; Rom
8:24.
* 9:25-26 Here, the author rejects the
notion of repeated sacrifices of Jesus, not the concept of the eternal presence
of His one sacrifice. In stating that one sacrifice took place "at the end
of the ages," the author indicates his fidelity to the time sequence of
Jewish and Christian eschatology. The author seems to accept the Platonic idea
of an eternal heavenly reality in contrast with temporal earthly shadows but he
tempers it with a strongly historical Christian faith. He sees the heavenly
sanctuary as always having existed but the heavenly sacrifice that is eternally
present there, he sees as having entered into the eternal order at a particular
point in time.
* 9:27 This verse is often used to
illustrate the incompatibility between Christianity and belief in
reincarnation.
* 9:28 By taking the sins of others
upon Himself Christ takes them away. See Isa 53:12. Interestingly , even though
there is a strong sense of "vicarious sin-bearing" there is no
indication of "vicarious punishment." In Semitic languages the word,
"many," is often used in the sense of "all." The verse ends
with a reference to the Parousia (Second Coming) and perhaps the Day of
Atonement rituals. The appearance of Jesus again will be like the emergence of
the High Priest from the Holy of Holies (Sir 50: 5-10). His return will bring
complete and final salvation (1:14).
NOTES on Gospel:
* 12:38-44 The two incidents in this
section (12:38-40; 12:41-44) form a diptych in which the characters are
contrasted. The ostentation and hypocritical scribes that are criticized in
this passage are the opposite of what Jesus wants his disciples to be like.
Jesus warns against the scribes search for prestige and their draining the
resources of widows while keeping up a pretense of piety. Although this passage
has been used in the past in anti-Semitic rhetoric (as has Matt 23 which is
even stronger), it must be remembered that this passage criticizes only a
particular type of scribe and not all scribes and certainly not Jews in
general.
* 12:38-39 The scribes were the
interpreters of the Old Testament Law. In many ways, they were the ancient
Jewish version of lawyers. The kind of scribes described here were putting
themselves on public display in religious contexts. The robes (stolai) spoken
of here were probably garments designed to enhance their prestige and honor and
not necessarily prayer shawls as in Matt 23:5.
* 12:40 Scribes (lawyers) in the
ancient world were often called upon to serve as trustees for widows and
commonly received a portion of the estate as a fee. Those with a reputation for
piety had better prospects of this kind of work. As a result of their greed and
hypocrisy these scribes will receive a stiffer condemnation at the last
judgment. 12:41-44 This story is connected with the previous incident by the
term, "widow" and provides a contrast to the behavior of the scribes.
Her inner dedication to God and her generosity also introduce the passion
narrative where Jesus displays those same qualities.
* 12:42 The copper coins mentioned are
called "lepta ( singular is lepton)" and were the smallest coins in circulation.
The explanatory clause uses the word, quadrans, which is borrowed from Latin
and is equal to about a fifth of a cent. Use of the Latin term is one of the
indicators that Mark's gospel was written for a Roman audience.
* 12:43-44 Jesus' statement is a
paradox that demands an explanation. He provides the explanation: The widow's
offering involved a real sacrifice on her part to support the Temple while the
gifts of the rich were simply taken from their surplus wealth. Since they did
not need what they gave and did not miss it, their gift did not seriously
affect their lives.
www.st-raymond-dublin.org
Meditation:"This poor widow has put in more than the rest"
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 one’s position (even a religious position)
for self-gain and self-advancement. True religion is relating rightly to God
and to one’s 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."
www.dailyscripture.net
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A Call to
Authenticity
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Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "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."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in
you. I believe that you are here with me, within me as the life of my soul. I
place all of my trust in you, for without you I can do nothing. I love you.
Thank you for revealing your loving mercy to me. I offer you all I do in
return.
Petition: Lord, help me to be coherent and sincere in
my decision to follow your will in my life.
1. Religion for Show: The Gospel passage presents us with
the stark contrast between the scribes and a poor widow. The scribes were
driven by appearances. They were slaves to their vanity. Their interior
security lasted only as long as praise flowed from the mouths of those around
them. They were more driven by the applause of men than the approval of God.
Since their piety was mere show, it left no deep mark in their soul and could
not free them from their disordered passions. Externally they appeared
religious, but within they were a seething mass of vice. In their greed, they
“devoured the houses of widows.” Is my piety for show or for God alone?
2. Generosity Means Giving All: The poor widow went
unnoticed by the crowd, but Jesus saw her. While the rich made a great show
of their gifts, she had only two small coins to give. She quietly slipped in
among the crowd, seeking no one’s notice; but she was noticed by Christ. This
is our choice: the applause of men or the praise of God.
3. Drawing Comparisons: Sometimes it is easy
for us to get caught up in what others have -- what they are doing or saying.
We fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others, and probably most
of the time we don’t measure up! It causes nothing but anguish. Yet, God
doesn’t compare us to others. He loves us. He made us as we are, with our own
unique combination of talents and abilities. He measures our generosity not
by what we give, but by what we hold back for ourselves. Remember, the
happiest are not those who have everything but those who give everything they
have.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to stop
comparing myself to others. Help me to see the good you want me to do today.
Let me see the things I’m holding on to and that which is keeping me from
you. You have given me everything. I want to return your gifts in full with
interest.
Resolution: I will trust in God’s providence and give
him something today that I’ve been holding back.
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www.regnumchristi.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11
THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
MARK 12:38-44
(1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28
KEY VERSE: "For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty" (v 44).
READING: This is the last time that Mark will present Jesus in the temple. Jesus first reproached the scribes who were making a public show of holiness and using their office for prestige rather than for service. Moreover, they ignored the Law of Moses that required aid for helpless widows and orphans (Ex 22: 21). Because they knew God's will, they were more culpable than those who were ignorant of the Law. To this story of hypocrisy, Jesus contrasted their behavior with that of a poor widow. He observed that many rich people placed large donations from their surplus wealth in the temple treasury. This poor woman gave two small coins (leptons), all that she had to live on. Her offering is a sign of total dependence on God. She becomes a model for Jesus' followers by embodying his great command to love God and neighbor with their entire being(Mk 12: 30-31).
REFLECTING: Do I share the gifts God has given me with an open heart and open hand?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to give generously to those in need.
THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
MARK 12:38-44
(1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28
KEY VERSE: "For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty" (v 44).
READING: This is the last time that Mark will present Jesus in the temple. Jesus first reproached the scribes who were making a public show of holiness and using their office for prestige rather than for service. Moreover, they ignored the Law of Moses that required aid for helpless widows and orphans (Ex 22: 21). Because they knew God's will, they were more culpable than those who were ignorant of the Law. To this story of hypocrisy, Jesus contrasted their behavior with that of a poor widow. He observed that many rich people placed large donations from their surplus wealth in the temple treasury. This poor woman gave two small coins (leptons), all that she had to live on. Her offering is a sign of total dependence on God. She becomes a model for Jesus' followers by embodying his great command to love God and neighbor with their entire being(Mk 12: 30-31).
REFLECTING: Do I share the gifts God has given me with an open heart and open hand?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to give generously to those in need.
NOVEMBER
11--VETERAN'S DAY (USA)
Veterans Day is the American name for the international day of remembrance called Armistice Day. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War 1. All major hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938. In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. The holiday has been observed annually on November 11 since that date - first as Armistice Day, and later as Veterans' Day. Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
REMEMBRANCE DAY (CANADA)
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. They honor those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served their country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that all may live in peace.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
The Widows’ Faith
Readings:
1 Kings 1:10-16
Psalm 146:7-10
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:28-24
1 Kings 1:10-16
Psalm 146:7-10
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:28-24
We must live by the obedience of faith, a faith that shows
itself in works of charity and self-giving (see Galatians 5:6). That’s the
lesson of the two widows in today’s liturgy.
The widow in the First Reading isn’t even a Jew, yet she trusts
in the word of Elijah and the promise of his Lord. Facing sure starvation, she
gives all that she has, her last bit of food—feeding the man of God before
herself and her family.
The widow in the Gospel also gives all that she has, offering
her last bit of money to support the work of God’s priests in the Temple.
In their self-sacrifice, these widows embody the love that Jesus
last week revealed as the heart of the Law and the Gospel. They mirror the
Father’s love in giving His only Son, and Christ’s love in sacrificing himself
on the cross.
Again in today’s Epistle, we hear Christ described as a new high
priest and the suffering servant foretold by Isaiah. On the cross, He made
sacrifice once and for all to take away our sin and bring us to salvation (see
Isaiah 53:12).
And again we are called to imitate His sacrifice of love in our
own lives. We will be judged, not by how much we give—for the scribes and
wealthy contribute far more than the widow. Rather, we will be judged by
whether our gifts reflect our livelihood, our whole beings, all our heart and
soul, mind and strength.
Are we giving all that we can to the Lord—not out of a sense of
forced duty, but in a spirit of generosity and love (see 2 Corinthians
9:6-7)?
Do not be afraid, the man of God tells us today. As we sing in
today’s Psalm, the Lord will provide for us, as he sustains the widow.
Today, let us follow the widows’ example, doing what God asks,
confident that our jars of flour will not grow empty, nor our jugs of oil run
dry.
Scott Hahn Ph.D.
Praise
the Lord, my soul!
'She has
put in more than all the others.’You, Father, are a God of abundance and of life. The widow was rewarded for her generosity, rewarded beyond her dreams. How often, Lord, we feel trapped by our life and our surroundings. We don’t seem to hope or dream very much.
‘How blind you are, my child. You really are a child! You are full of self-pity at your own lack of generosity. Can you not see the power of my Son’s death? You share in his love and his overflowing goodness. Do not expect to change the world and do not compare your life with others’ lives. Look at the people nearest to you. Do you really love them? Are you prepared to suffer discomfort, embarrassment, tiredness for them? Can you rejoice with them? If you trust me, I will make the dull ordinariness of your life shine brightly.’
www.churchresources.info
November 11
St. Martin of Tours
(316?-397)
St. Martin of Tours
(316?-397)
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| St.Martin and the Beggar, by El Greco, ca.1597-99 (National Gallery of Arts.Washington) |
A conscientious objector who wanted to
be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought
paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one
of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr.
Born of
pagan parents in what is now Hungary and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran
was forced to serve in the army against his will at the age of 15. He became a
Christian catechumen and was baptized at 18. It was said that he lived more
like a monk than a soldier. At 23, he refused a war bonus and told his
commander: "I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ.
Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ
and it is not lawful for me to fight." After great difficulties, he was
discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers (January 13).
He was ordained
an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. He became a monk,
living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was restored to
his see after exile, Martin returned to France and established what may have
been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10 years,
forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside.
The people of
Tours demanded that he become their bishop. He was drawn to that city by a
ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he
reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating
bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was
not dignified enough for the office.
Along with St.
Ambrose (December 7), Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’s principle of putting
heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such matters. He
prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian. For
his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and Priscillian was
executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the persecution of
Priscillian’s followers in Spain. He still felt he could cooperate with
Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled him about this
decision.
As death
approached, his followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, "Lord,
if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be
done."
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| Martinitoren The 97 meter high church tower (Martini Tower) in Groningen. The Netherlands. |
Comment:
Martin's worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west or south. A hypercautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is, in fact, a bad decision, for "not to decide is to decide."
Martin's worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west or south. A hypercautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is, in fact, a bad decision, for "not to decide is to decide."
Quote:
On a bitterly cold day, a famous legend goes, Martin met a poor
man, almost naked, trembling in the cold and begging from passersby at the city
gate. Martin had nothing but his weapons and his clothes. He drew his sword,
cut his cloak into two pieces, gave one to the beggar and wrapped himself in
the other half. Some of the bystanders laughed at his now odd apearance; others
were ashamed at not having relieved the man's misery. That night in his sleep
Martin saw Christ dressed in the half of the garment he had given away, and
heard him say, "Martin, still a catechumen, has covered me with his
garment."
Patron Saint of:
Horses
Soldiers
Horses
Soldiers
www.americancatholic,org
LECTIO: 32ND SUNDAY
OF ORDINARY TIME (B)
Lectio:
Sunday,
November 11, 2012
Jesus, the Scribes
and the widow
The different way of accounting in the Kingdom of God
Mark 12: 38-44
The different way of accounting in the Kingdom of God
Mark 12: 38-44
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) A key to the
reading:
The Gospel text of this Sunday presents us
with two opposing but connected facts: on the one hand we have Jesus
criticizing the Scribes who used religion to exploit poor widows, and, on the
other hand, we have the example of the poor widow who gave to the Temple even
what she had to live on. These facts are relevant even today!
b) A division of the
text to help with the reading:
Mark 12:38-40: Jesus criticizes the
exploitation of the Scribes
Mark 12:41-42: Jesus watches people who place their alms in the treasury of the Temple
Mark 12:43-44: Jesus reveals the value of the poor widow’s action
Mark 12:41-42: Jesus watches people who place their alms in the treasury of the Temple
Mark 12:43-44: Jesus reveals the value of the poor widow’s action
c)
Text:
38 In his teaching he said, 'Beware of the
scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted respectfully in the
market squares, 39 to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of
honour at banquets; 40 these are the men who devour the property of widows and
for show offer long prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they
receive.'
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'In truth I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; 44 for they have all put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.'
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'In truth I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; 44 for they have all put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.'
3. A moment of
prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate and
enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) What pleased or struck you most in this
text? Why?
b) What does Jesus criticize and what does he praise in the doctors of the Law?
c) What social and religious imbalances of that period do we find in the text?
d) How is it that the two coins of the widow are of more value than the great amount put in by the rich? Look carefully at the text and see what follows: “Why does Jesus praise the poor widow?”
e) What message does this text convey to us today?
b) What does Jesus criticize and what does he praise in the doctors of the Law?
c) What social and religious imbalances of that period do we find in the text?
d) How is it that the two coins of the widow are of more value than the great amount put in by the rich? Look carefully at the text and see what follows: “Why does Jesus praise the poor widow?”
e) What message does this text convey to us today?
5. For those who
wish to go deeper into the theme
a) Yesterday’s and
today’s context:
● The context
in Jesus’ time.
Mark’s text 12:38-44 recounts the last part of Jesus’ activities in Jerusalem (Mk 11:1 to 12:44). Those were very intense days, full of conflicts: the driving out of the sellers in the Temple (Mk 11:12-26), and many discussions with the authorities: (Mk 11:27 to 12:12), with the Pharisees, with the Herodians and the Sadducees (Mk 12:13-27) and with the doctors of the Law (Mk 12:28-37). This Sunday’s text (Mk 12:38-44) reports a final word of criticism by Jesus concerning the bad behaviour of the doctors of the Law (Mk 12:38-40) and a word of praise for the good behaviour of the widow. Almost at the end of his activities in Jerusalem, Jesus sits in front of the treasury where people were putting their alms for the Temple. Jesus draws the disciples’ attention to the action of a poor widow and teaches them the value of sharing (Mk 12:41-44).
Mark’s text 12:38-44 recounts the last part of Jesus’ activities in Jerusalem (Mk 11:1 to 12:44). Those were very intense days, full of conflicts: the driving out of the sellers in the Temple (Mk 11:12-26), and many discussions with the authorities: (Mk 11:27 to 12:12), with the Pharisees, with the Herodians and the Sadducees (Mk 12:13-27) and with the doctors of the Law (Mk 12:28-37). This Sunday’s text (Mk 12:38-44) reports a final word of criticism by Jesus concerning the bad behaviour of the doctors of the Law (Mk 12:38-40) and a word of praise for the good behaviour of the widow. Almost at the end of his activities in Jerusalem, Jesus sits in front of the treasury where people were putting their alms for the Temple. Jesus draws the disciples’ attention to the action of a poor widow and teaches them the value of sharing (Mk 12:41-44).
● The context
in Mark’s time.
During the first forty years of the Church’s history, from the 30’s to the 70’s, the Christian communities, for the most part, were made up of poor people (1Cor 1:26). Later some rich people or those who had various problems joined them. The social tensions that existed in the Roman Empire, began to be felt also in the life of the communities. For instance, divisions came to the fore when the communities came together to celebrate the supper (1Cor 11:20-22), or when they met together (James 2:1-4). Thus, the teaching concerning the action of the widow was very real for them. It was like looking into a mirror, because Jesus compares the behaviour of the rich with that of the poor.
During the first forty years of the Church’s history, from the 30’s to the 70’s, the Christian communities, for the most part, were made up of poor people (1Cor 1:26). Later some rich people or those who had various problems joined them. The social tensions that existed in the Roman Empire, began to be felt also in the life of the communities. For instance, divisions came to the fore when the communities came together to celebrate the supper (1Cor 11:20-22), or when they met together (James 2:1-4). Thus, the teaching concerning the action of the widow was very real for them. It was like looking into a mirror, because Jesus compares the behaviour of the rich with that of the poor.
● Today’s
context.
Jesus praises the poor widow because she could share more than the rich people did. Many poor today do the same. People say: The poor never allow another poor person to die of hunger. But sometimes even this is not true. Donna Cícera, a poor lady who went from the country to the periphery of a great city used to say: “In the country, I was very poor, but I always had something to share with another poor person who knocked on my door. Now that I am in the city, when I see a poor person who knocks on my door, I hide for shame because I have nothing to share!” Thus we see on the one hand rich people who have everything, and on the other poor people who have almost nothing to share, and yet share the little they have.
Jesus praises the poor widow because she could share more than the rich people did. Many poor today do the same. People say: The poor never allow another poor person to die of hunger. But sometimes even this is not true. Donna Cícera, a poor lady who went from the country to the periphery of a great city used to say: “In the country, I was very poor, but I always had something to share with another poor person who knocked on my door. Now that I am in the city, when I see a poor person who knocks on my door, I hide for shame because I have nothing to share!” Thus we see on the one hand rich people who have everything, and on the other poor people who have almost nothing to share, and yet share the little they have.
b) A commentary on
the text:
Mark 12:38-40: Jesus
criticizes the doctors of the Law.
Jesus draws his disciples’ attention to the hypocritical and exploiting behaviour of some doctors of the Law. “Doctors” or Scribes were those who taught people the Law of God. But they taught it only by word, because their lives witnessed to the opposite. They liked going about the squares wearing long tunics, accepting the greetings of people, taking first places in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets. In other words, they were people who wished to appear important. They used their knowledge and their profession as a means for climbing the social ladder and of enriching themselves, and not for serving. They liked to visit widows and recite long prayers in exchange for money! Jesus ends by saying: “The more severe will be the sentence they receive!”
Jesus draws his disciples’ attention to the hypocritical and exploiting behaviour of some doctors of the Law. “Doctors” or Scribes were those who taught people the Law of God. But they taught it only by word, because their lives witnessed to the opposite. They liked going about the squares wearing long tunics, accepting the greetings of people, taking first places in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets. In other words, they were people who wished to appear important. They used their knowledge and their profession as a means for climbing the social ladder and of enriching themselves, and not for serving. They liked to visit widows and recite long prayers in exchange for money! Jesus ends by saying: “The more severe will be the sentence they receive!”
Mark 12:41-42: The
almsgiving of the widow.
Jesus and the disciples were seated in front of the treasury of the Temple and watched people placing their alms in the treasury. The poor gave a few cents, the rich put in bills of great value. The treasury became full. All gave something for the upkeep of the cult, to support the priests and for the maintenance of the Temple. Some of the money was used to help the poor, since in those days there was no social security. The poor depended on public charity. The most needy among the poor were the orphans and widows. They had nothing. They completely depended on the charity of others. But, even though they had nothing, they made an effort to share with others the little they had. Thus, a very poor widow places her alms in the treasury, just a few cents!
Jesus and the disciples were seated in front of the treasury of the Temple and watched people placing their alms in the treasury. The poor gave a few cents, the rich put in bills of great value. The treasury became full. All gave something for the upkeep of the cult, to support the priests and for the maintenance of the Temple. Some of the money was used to help the poor, since in those days there was no social security. The poor depended on public charity. The most needy among the poor were the orphans and widows. They had nothing. They completely depended on the charity of others. But, even though they had nothing, they made an effort to share with others the little they had. Thus, a very poor widow places her alms in the treasury, just a few cents!
Mark 12:43-44: Jesus
shows us where to find God’s will.
What is of greater value: the few cents of the widow or the thousand coins of the rich? For the disciples, the thousand coins of the rich were far more useful to perform acts of charity than the widow’s few cents. They thought that peoples’ problems could be solved by means of a lot of money. On the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, they said to Jesus: “Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?” (Mk 6:37) Indeed, for those who think this way, the two cents of the widow are of no use. But Jesus says: “This poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury”. Jesus has different criteria. In calling the attention of the disciples to the action of the widow, he teaches them and us where we must look for the manifestation of God’s will, that is, in sharing. If today we shared the goods that God has placed in the universe for the whole of humanity, there would be neither poverty nor hunger. There would be enough for all and there would be some left over for others.
c) Further
information: Almsgiving, sharing, wealth
The practice of almsgiving was very important
for the Jews. It was considered a “good work” (Mt 6:1-4), because the law of
the Old Testament said: “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). Alms placed in the
treasury, whether for the cult or for the maintenance of the Temple or for
those in need, orphans and widows, were considered an act pleasing to God.
Almsgiving was a way of sharing with others, a way of recognizing that all
goods and gifts belong to God and that we are but administrators of these
gifts, so that there may be an abundance in this life for all.
It was from the book of Exodus that the people
of Israel learnt the importance of almsgiving, of sharing. The forty years’
journey in the desert was necessary to overcome the desire for accumulation
that came from the Pharaoh of Egypt and that was well implanted in the minds of
the people. It is easy to leave Pharaoh’s country. It is difficult to free
oneself of Pharaoh’s mentality. The ideology of the great is false and
deceiving. It was necessary to experience hunger in the desert so as to learn
that what is necessary for life is for all. This is what the Manna teaches: “No
one who had collected more had too much, no one who had collected less had too
little” (Ex 16:18).
But the tendency to accumulate was there all
the time and was very strong. And it constantly reappears in the human heart.
It is precisely because of this tendency to accumulate that the great empires
in the history of humanity were formed. The desire to possess and to accumulate
is at the very heart of the ideology of these human empires or kingdoms. Jesus
points to the conversion required to enter the Kingdom of God. He says to the
rich young man: “Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor” (Mk
10:21). This same requirement is echoed in the other Gospels: “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). Then Jesus adds the reason for this demand: “For
wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too”.
The practice of sharing, of almsgiving and of
solidarity is one of the marks of the Spirit of Jesus, given to us on Pentecost
(Acts 2:1-13), and that he wishes to make present in the communities. The
result of the outpouring of the Spirit is precisely this: “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”
(Acts 4:34-35ª; 2:44-45). These alms received by the apostles were not
accumulated but were rather “then distributed to any who
might be in need” (Acts 4:35b; 2:45).
On the one hand, the coming of rich people
into the communities made it possible to expand Christianity, because these
offered better conditions to the missionary movement. However, on the other
hand, the accumulation of goods blocked the movement of solidarity and of
sharing inspired by the force of the Spirit of Pentecost. James wishes to help
such people to understand that they had gone the wrong way: “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). We all
need to become students of that poor widow who shared what she had to live on,
so as to learn the way to the Kingdom (Mk 12:41-44).
6. Praying a Psalm
62 (61)
God is strength and
love
In God alone there is rest for my soul,
from him comes my safety;
he alone is my rock, my safety,
my stronghold so that I stand unshaken.
How much longer will you set on a victim,
all together, intent on murder,
like a rampart already leaning over,
a wall already damaged?
Trickery is their only plan,
deception their only pleasure,
with lies on their lips they pronounce a blessing,
with a curse in their hearts.
from him comes my safety;
he alone is my rock, my safety,
my stronghold so that I stand unshaken.
How much longer will you set on a victim,
all together, intent on murder,
like a rampart already leaning over,
a wall already damaged?
Trickery is their only plan,
deception their only pleasure,
with lies on their lips they pronounce a blessing,
with a curse in their hearts.
Rest in God alone, my soul!
He is the source of my hope.
He alone is my rock,
my safety, my stronghold,
so that I stand unwavering.
In God is my safety and my glory,
the rock of my strength.
In God is my refuge;
trust in him, you people, at all times.
Pour out your hearts to him,
God is a refuge for us.
He is the source of my hope.
He alone is my rock,
my safety, my stronghold,
so that I stand unwavering.
In God is my safety and my glory,
the rock of my strength.
In God is my refuge;
trust in him, you people, at all times.
Pour out your hearts to him,
God is a refuge for us.
Ordinary people are a mere puff of wind,
important people a delusion;
set both on the scales together,
and they are lighter than a puff of wind.
Put no trust in extortion,
no empty hopes in robbery;
however much wealth may multiply,
do not set your heart on it.
Once God has spoken,
twice have I heard this:
Strength belongs to God,
to you, Lord, faithful love;
and you repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
important people a delusion;
set both on the scales together,
and they are lighter than a puff of wind.
Put no trust in extortion,
no empty hopes in robbery;
however much wealth may multiply,
do not set your heart on it.
Once God has spoken,
twice have I heard this:
Strength belongs to God,
to you, Lord, faithful love;
and you repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that has
enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit
enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which your Word
has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but also
practice the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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