NOVEMBER 25, 2019 : MONDAY OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 503

Reading 1DN 1:1-6, 8-20

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and some of the vessels of the temple of God;
he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.

The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood
and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
handsome, intelligent and wise,
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
such as could take their place in the king's palace;
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
after three years' training they were to enter the king's service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine
from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.

But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
with the king's food or wine;
so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
"I am afraid of my lord the king;
it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
by comparison with the other young men of your age,
you will endanger my life with the king."
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
"Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see."
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king's service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

Responsorial PsalmDANIEL 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R.(52b) Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you on the throne of your Kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!

AlleluiaMT 24:42A, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 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."

For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, please go here.

www.usccb.org

Meditation: "She put in all that she had"

Do you know the joy of selfless giving and generous 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!

Love grows with gratitude and generous giving
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.

Nothing given in love is worthless
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."

Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Mercy and compassion are never worthless, by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

"Although the spite of some people does not grow gentle with any kindness, nevertheless the works of mercy are not fruitless, and kindness never loses what is offered to the ungrateful. May no one, dearly beloved, make themselves strangers to good works. Let no one claim that his poverty scarcely sufficed for himself and could not help another. What is offered from a little is great, and in the scale of divine justice, the quantity of gifts is not measured but the steadfastness of souls. The "widow" in the Gospel put two coins into the "treasury," and this surpassed the gifts of all the rich. No mercy is worthless before God. No compassion is fruitless. He has given different resources to human beings, but he does not ask different affections." (excerpt from Sermon 20.3.1)

www.dailyscripture.net

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, LUKE 21:1-4
Weekday (Thirty-Fourth or Last Week in Ordinary Time
(Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Psalm: Daniel 3)

KEY VERSE: "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest" (v. 3).
TO KNOW: As Jesus was teaching 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 large offerings of those who gave from their surplus wealth. The woman represents the poor, the "anawim," who humbly depended upon God to supply their needs.
TO LOVE: How does my parish serve the widowed and bereaved?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be generous with my earthly goods.

Optional Memorial of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr

Catherine was born in Alexandria, Egypt of a noble family. She converted to Christianity after receiving a vision. During the persecution of Maximus in AD 235, she offered to debate the pagan philosophers. Many were converted by her arguments, but Maximus had her scourged, imprisoned and martyred. Devotion to Catherine was immensely popular during the Middle-Ages, and she was reported to be one of the divine advisors to St Joan of Arc. Her reputation for learning and wisdom led to her patronage of libraries and anyone associated with wisdom or teaching. Her debating skill and persuasive language led to her patronage of lawyers. She is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints revered in early times as particularly aiding Christians. They are: Acacius, Barbara, Blaise, Catherine of Alexandria, Christopher, Cyriacus, Dionysius of Paris, Erasmus, Eustace, George, Margaret, Pantaleon, Vitus and Giles.

www.togetherwithgodsword.com

Monday 25 November 2019

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20. Daniel 3:52-56. Luke 21:1-4.

Glory and praise forever – Daniel 3:52-56

‘Jesus looked up and … noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins’

Jesus, like the great philosophers of ancient times, did not teach in a classroom; instead he taught on foot in public places observing the lives of the people who passed in front of him. In today’s gospel he is in the marketplace near a place of worship, having just warned his disciples against the ostentatious practice of piety – no doubt being demonstrated before their eyes. He turns his gaze to those placing gifts in the treasury and catches sight of the widow who has given all she had.

Jesus, you invite me to give of myself in your presence. You point out this widow’s generosity before the eyes of all the people. Pour forth your grace within my heart so that my goodness may flow abundantly into the lives of those among whom I live and work. Be for me my companion on the way to fullness of life.

www.pray.com.au

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Saint of the Day for November 25

(d. c. 310)

 

St. Catherine with Angels | photo by Lawrence OP | flickr

Saint Catherine of Alexandria’s Story

According to the Legend of St. Catherine, this young woman converted to Christianity after receiving a vision. At the age of 18, she debated 50 pagan philosophers. Amazed at her wisdom and debating skills, they became Christians—as did about 200 soldiers and members of the emperor’s family. All of them were martyred.

Sentenced to be executed on a spiked wheel, Catherine touched the wheel and it shattered. She was beheaded. Centuries later, angels are said to have carried the body of Saint Catherine to a monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai.

Devotion to her spread as a result of the Crusades. She was invoked as the patroness of students, teachers, librarians and lawyers. Catherine is one of the 14 Holy Helpers, venerated especially in Germany and Hungary.

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Reflection

The pursuit of God’s wisdom may not lead to riches or earthly honors. In Catherine’s case, this pursuit contributed to her martyrdom. She was not, however, foolish in preferring to die for Jesus rather than live only by denying him. All the rewards that her tormentors offered her would rust, lose their beauty, or in some other way become a poor exchange for Catherine’s honesty and integrity in following Jesus Christ.

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Saint Catherine of Alexandria is the Patron Saint of:

Lawyers
Librarians
Philosophers
Students
Teachers

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/

Lectio Divina: Luke 21:1-4

Lectio Divina

Monday, November 25, 2019

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.

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 sometimes 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 and 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 of the first Christian communities were formed by poor people. (1 Cor 1:26). After a short time, well- to-do people also joined these communities and this caused several problems. The social tensions which were present in the Roman Empire began to appear in the life of the communities. For example, it manifested itself when they met together to celebrate the supper (1Cor 11: 20-22), or when they held a meeting (Jn 2:1-4). This is why the teaching of the act of the widow was very meaningful, both for them as well as for us today.
• Luke 21:1-2: The widow’s mite. Jesus was near the treasury in the temple and observed people who put in their offering. The poor put in a few pennies. The rich put in 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 on the charity of others for everything, 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 of just two pennies!
• Luke 21:3-4: Jesus’ comment. 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 problems of the people could be resolved only with much money. On the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, they had suggested buying bread to feed the people (Lk 9:13; Mk 6:37). Philip succeeded in saying, “Two-hundred denarii of bread are not even enough 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 a different criterion. Calling the attention of the disciples to 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” (Deut 15:11). The alms put into the treasury of the temple, whether for 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, and 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 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). This money, deposited at the feet of the Apostles, was not accumulated but “it was then distributed to any who might be in need” (Acts 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 that 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.” (Jas 5:1-3). To undertake the way to the Kingdom, all need to become pupils of that poor widow, who shared with others what was necessary for her living (Lk 21: 4).

4) Personal questions

• What difficulties and joys do you find  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? What 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.org