Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary
Time
Lectionary: 358
Lectionary: 358
Beloved:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine
but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,
will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth
and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine
but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,
will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth
and will be diverted to myths.
But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;
put up with hardship;
perform the work of an evangelist;
fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 71:8-9, 14-15AB, 16-17, 22
R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall be filled with your praise,
with your glory day by day.
Cast me not off in my old age;
as my strength fails, forsake me not.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
But I will always hope
and praise you ever more and more.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre,
for your faithfulness, O my God!
I will sing your praises with the harp,
O Holy One of Israel!
R. I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall be filled with your praise,
with your glory day by day.
Cast me not off in my old age;
as my strength fails, forsake me not.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
But I will always hope
and praise you ever more and more.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre,
for your faithfulness, O my God!
I will sing your praises with the harp,
O Holy One of Israel!
R. I will sing of your salvation.
AlleluiaMT 5:3
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 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.”
“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.”
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.”
For the readings of the Optional Memorial
of Saint Norbert, please go here.
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
and first place of honor rather than lowly service for the benefit of others;
the desire for deference and recognition (and seeking esteem from others)
rather than seeking to promote the good of others through humble service and
selfless care for others; 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.
Love
is more precious than gold or silver
Jesus taught his disciples a dramatic lesson in generous giving with love and devotion. 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 his disciples a dramatic lesson in generous giving with love and devotion. 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!
Real
giving comes from a heart full of gratitude
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?
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."
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 20.3.1.6)
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, MARK 12:38-44
Weekday
(2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 71)
Weekday
(2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 71)
KEY VERSE: "For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty" (v 44).
TO KNOW: The scribes were the learned interpreters of the Law of Moses. Jesus reproached them for 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 the scribes knew God's will, they were more culpable than those who were ignorant of the Law. Jesus contrasted their behavior with that of a poor widow. While sitting in the Temple, Jesus observed that many rich people placed large donations from their surplus wealth in the Temple treasury. But a poor widow gave two small coins (leptons), all that she had to live on. She embodied Jesus' great command to love God and neighbor with one's entire being (Mk 12:30-31).
TO LOVE: Do I share the gifts that God has given me?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to give generously from my heart.
Optional
Memorial of Saint Norbert, bishop
Norbert of Xanten, a town near the Holland-German border, did not begin his career as a reformer. Quite the opposite; he took holy orders as a career move, a practice that was eroding the credibility and effectiveness of the Church. A narrow escape from death led him to a conversion experience. After three years of self-scrutiny and prayer, he concluded that he should commit himself to Jesus and the ideals of the Gospel. A changed man, he returned to the parish community, determined to live as a principled priest and anxious to engage in active ministry. He founded the order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, France, also called the Norbertines, starting a reform movement that swept through European monastic houses. The Norbertines vowed to seek Christ by means of community living, poverty, obedience and celibacy. Norbert held before them the ideal of the first Christians after Pentecost whose community life was characterized by the power of the Spirit and a desire to be of service to others.
Saturday 6 June 2020
St Norbert; St Marcellin Champagnat
2 Timothy 4:1-8. I will sing of your salvation – Psalm
70(71):8-9, 14-17, 22. Mark 12:38-44.
‘The poor widow has put in more than all’
Today we celebrate the feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, founder
of the Marist Brothers. Through education, the Marist brothers brought young
people out of poverty, improved lives and shared faith. How much did
Marcellin’s early experience of illiteracy and adversity inspire him to
establish this order of compassionate men? It is said that his encounter with
the poor, illiterate teenager Jean Baptiste was a motivator give his life to
teaching, and to encourage the same vocation in others.
As with Marcellin, the widow in Mark’s Gospel has the heart to
generously give what she can barely afford. She knows what it means to have
literally nothing, where even the smallest offering is significant. To
experience deprivation in this way can be a motivator, make a person hungry to
make a difference. It can be a pathway to generosity, where what little we have
is given without hesitation or condition. The widow’s gift came from love, as
did Marcellin’s life of education. May we draw on such a spirit of generosity.
Saint Norbert
Saint of the Day for June 6
(c. 1080 – June 6, 1134)
 |
| St. Norbert | Marten Pepijn |
Saint Norbert’s Story
In the 12th century in the French region of Premontre,
Saint Norbert founded a religious Order known as the Praemonstratensians or the
Norbertines. His founding of the Order was a monumental tasks: combating
rampant heresies—particularly regarding the Blessed Sacrament, revitalizing
many of the faithful who had grown indifferent and dissolute, plus effecting
peace and reconciliation among enemies.
Norbert entertained no pretensions about his own ability to
accomplish this multiple task. Even with the aid of a goodly number of men who
joined his Order, he realized that nothing could be effectively done without
God’s power. Finding this help especially in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,
he and his Norbertines praised God for success in converting heretics,
reconciling numerous enemies, and rebuilding faith in indifferent believers.
Many of them lived in central houses during the week and served in parishes on
weekends.
Reluctantly, Norbert became archbishop of Magdeburg in central
Germany, a territory half pagan and half Christian. In this position he
zealously and courageously continued his work for the Church until his death on
June 6, 1134.
Reflection
A different world cannot be built by indifferent people. The
same is true in regard to the Church. The indifference of vast numbers of
nominal faithful to ecclesiastical authority and essential doctrines of the
faith weakens the Church’s witness. Unswerving loyalty to the Church and
fervent devotion to the Eucharist, as practiced by Norbert, will continue
immeasurably toward maintaining the people of God in accord with the heart of
Christ.
Lectio Divina: Mark 12:38-44
Lectio Divina
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
Your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide for all our needs.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 12:38-44
In His teaching Jesus said, 'Beware of the scribes who like to
walk about in long robes, to be greeted respectfully in the market squares, to
take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets;
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.'
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. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. 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; 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.'
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. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. 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; 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) Reflection
• In today’s Gospel we are getting to the end of the long
teaching of Jesus to His disciples. From the first cure of the blind man (Mk 8:22-26)
up to the cure of the blind Bartimaeus in Jericho (10:46-52), the disciples
walked with Jesus toward Jerusalem, receiving much instruction from Him about
the passion, death and resurrection and the consequences for the life of the
disciple. When they reached Jerusalem, they witness the debates of Jesus with
the traders in the Temple (Mk 11:15-19), with the high priests and the Scribes
(Mk 11: 27 - 12: 12), with the Pharisees, Herodians and the Sadducees (Mk
12:13-27), with the Doctors of the Law (Mk 12:28-37). Now, in today’s Gospel,
after the last criticism against the Scribes (Mk 12:38-40), Jesus instructs the
disciples. Sitting opposite the treasury Jesus called their attention to the
gesture of sharing of a poor widow. In that gesture they should look for the
manifestation of the will of God (Mk 12: 41-44).
• Mark 12: 38-40: The criticism of the doctors of the Law. Jesus calls the attention of the disciples to the arrogant and hypocritical behavior of some of the doctors of the Law. They liked very much to go around the squares in the city wearing long tunics, and to receive the greeting of the people, to occupy the first places in the Synagogue and to have the place of honor at the banquets. They liked to enter the houses of the widows and to say long prayers in exchange for money! And Jesus says, “These people will receive a great condemnation!”
• Mark 12:41-42. The widow’s mite. Jesus and His disciples sitting opposite the treasury of the Temple observed that all left their alms. The poor put in a very small amount, a few cents; the rich put in coins of great value. The Treasury of the Temple received much money. Everyone took something for the maintenance of the cult, to support the clergy and for the maintenance of the building. Part of this money was used to help the poor, because at that time there was no social security. The poor depended on public charity. And the poor who needed greater help were the orphans and the widows. They had nothing. They depended for everything on the help of others. But even without having anything, they tried to share. In this way, a very poor widow, put in her alms into the treasury of the Temple. Just a few cents!
• Mark 12: 43-44. Jesus indicates where God’s will is manifested. What has greater value: the ten cents of the widow or the one thousand dollars of the rich? For the disciples, the one thousand dollars of the rich were much more useful than the ten cents of the widow. They thought that the problems of the people could be solved only with much money. On the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, they had said to Jesus, “Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?” (Mk 6: 37) In fact, for those who think this way, the ten cents of the widow do not serve for anything. But Jesus says, “This widow who is poor has put into the treasury more than all the others”. Jesus has different criteria. He calls the attention of His disciples to the gesture of the widow, and teaches them where they and we should seek the manifestation of God’s will: in the poor and in sharing. Many poor people today do the same thing. People say, “The poor do not let another poor person starve”. But sometimes, not even this is possible. Cicera, the lady of the interior zone of Paraiba, Brazil, who went to live in the periphery of the capital city, would say, “In the interior, people were poor, but there was always a piece of bread to share with the poor person who knocked at the door. Now that I am in the great city, when I see a poor person who knocks at the door, I hide out of shame, because at home I have nothing to share with him!” On the one hand, rich people who have everything, but who do not want to share; on the other side, poor people who hardly have anything, but who want to share the little that they have.
• Alms, sharing, riches. The practice of giving alms was very important for the Jews. It was considered a “good work”, because the Law of the Old Testament said, “Because the poor will never be missing in the country; this is why I give you this command, and I say to you: Always be open handed with your brother in your country who is in need and poor” (Deut 15:11). The alms, deposited in the treasury of the Temple, whether for the worship, or for the needy, for the orphans and for the widows, were considered an action pleasing to God. To give alms was a way of recognizing that all the goods belong to God and that we are simple administrators of these goods, in such a way that there will be abundant life for all. The practice of sharing and of solidarity is one of the characteristics of the first Christian communities: “None of their 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 4:34-35; 2:44-45). The money from the sale, offered to the apostles, was not accumulated, but rather “it was then distributed to any who might be in need” (Acts 4:35b; 2: 45). The entrance into the community of persons who were richer introduced into the community the mentality of accumulation and blocked the movement of solidarity and of sharing. James warns these people, “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 learn the way to the Kingdom, we all need to become pupils of that poor widow, who shared all she had, what was necessary to live (Mk 12:41-44).
• Mark 12: 38-40: The criticism of the doctors of the Law. Jesus calls the attention of the disciples to the arrogant and hypocritical behavior of some of the doctors of the Law. They liked very much to go around the squares in the city wearing long tunics, and to receive the greeting of the people, to occupy the first places in the Synagogue and to have the place of honor at the banquets. They liked to enter the houses of the widows and to say long prayers in exchange for money! And Jesus says, “These people will receive a great condemnation!”
• Mark 12:41-42. The widow’s mite. Jesus and His disciples sitting opposite the treasury of the Temple observed that all left their alms. The poor put in a very small amount, a few cents; the rich put in coins of great value. The Treasury of the Temple received much money. Everyone took something for the maintenance of the cult, to support the clergy and for the maintenance of the building. Part of this money was used to help the poor, because at that time there was no social security. The poor depended on public charity. And the poor who needed greater help were the orphans and the widows. They had nothing. They depended for everything on the help of others. But even without having anything, they tried to share. In this way, a very poor widow, put in her alms into the treasury of the Temple. Just a few cents!
• Mark 12: 43-44. Jesus indicates where God’s will is manifested. What has greater value: the ten cents of the widow or the one thousand dollars of the rich? For the disciples, the one thousand dollars of the rich were much more useful than the ten cents of the widow. They thought that the problems of the people could be solved only with much money. On the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves, they had said to Jesus, “Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?” (Mk 6: 37) In fact, for those who think this way, the ten cents of the widow do not serve for anything. But Jesus says, “This widow who is poor has put into the treasury more than all the others”. Jesus has different criteria. He calls the attention of His disciples to the gesture of the widow, and teaches them where they and we should seek the manifestation of God’s will: in the poor and in sharing. Many poor people today do the same thing. People say, “The poor do not let another poor person starve”. But sometimes, not even this is possible. Cicera, the lady of the interior zone of Paraiba, Brazil, who went to live in the periphery of the capital city, would say, “In the interior, people were poor, but there was always a piece of bread to share with the poor person who knocked at the door. Now that I am in the great city, when I see a poor person who knocks at the door, I hide out of shame, because at home I have nothing to share with him!” On the one hand, rich people who have everything, but who do not want to share; on the other side, poor people who hardly have anything, but who want to share the little that they have.
• Alms, sharing, riches. The practice of giving alms was very important for the Jews. It was considered a “good work”, because the Law of the Old Testament said, “Because the poor will never be missing in the country; this is why I give you this command, and I say to you: Always be open handed with your brother in your country who is in need and poor” (Deut 15:11). The alms, deposited in the treasury of the Temple, whether for the worship, or for the needy, for the orphans and for the widows, were considered an action pleasing to God. To give alms was a way of recognizing that all the goods belong to God and that we are simple administrators of these goods, in such a way that there will be abundant life for all. The practice of sharing and of solidarity is one of the characteristics of the first Christian communities: “None of their 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 4:34-35; 2:44-45). The money from the sale, offered to the apostles, was not accumulated, but rather “it was then distributed to any who might be in need” (Acts 4:35b; 2: 45). The entrance into the community of persons who were richer introduced into the community the mentality of accumulation and blocked the movement of solidarity and of sharing. James warns these people, “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 learn the way to the Kingdom, we all need to become pupils of that poor widow, who shared all she had, what was necessary to live (Mk 12:41-44).
4) Personal questions
• How is it that the two cents of the widow can be worth more
than one thousand dollars of the rich? Look closely at the text and see why
Jesus praises the poor widow. What message does this text contain for us today?
• What difficulties and what joys have you found in your life in the practice of solidarity and in sharing with others?
• What difficulties and what joys have you found in your life in the practice of solidarity and in sharing with others?
5) Concluding Prayer
My mouth is full of Your praises,
filled with Your splendor all day long.
Do not reject me in my old age,
nor desert me when my strength is failing. (Ps 71:8-9)
filled with Your splendor all day long.
Do not reject me in my old age,
nor desert me when my strength is failing. (Ps 71:8-9)
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