‘Our two cents’

Fr. Robert J. Wagner | For the Catholic Herald

11/07/18

Likely we have heard the expression “my two cents” as a way to describe someone’s opinion, as in, “Before we make a final decision, here are my two cents on the subject.” In truth, the speaker usually thinks his comments are of considerable value, which is why he or she shares them so freely. To describe them as “two cents” is usually false humility. We tend to value our opinions as meaningful, and are hurt when someone else treats them as if they are worth a pittance.

The origin of the phrase “my two cents” is unclear, but perhaps it comes from this Sunday’s Gospel, in which Jesus exalts the two small coins deposited by a poor widow as being more than anything anyone else had given to the treasury outside of the Temple. Our Lord says this despite St. Mark telling us that “many rich people put in large sums.” In terms of monetary value, the widow’s two small coins are nothing in comparison to these other donations. However, because she was generous beyond her means, while they were giving from their excess, her sacrifice is greater, and her offering is more pleasing to God.

There are several lessons to glean from this observation from Our Lord. First, we recognize that Jesus praises the woman for giving out of what she could rightfully hold back for herself because of her need. In terms of our own finances, we understand this means that we are called to give in a way that makes us uncomfortable.

The widow needed the money that she gave to the Temple; perhaps offering it meant that she went without a meal or two. On the other hand, the lives of the rich people who gave so much more were not changed at all by their donations. Thus we see that our donations to the church and to those in need should cause us some discomfort, at least at first. That discomfort is due to our desire for control and our wanting to hold something back for ourselves.

Giving beyond what is comfortable is a lot to ask, but when we can do so willingly, faithfully and even joyfully, we know that our actions are pleasing to our Lord, and in time we realize it is not uncomfortable, but freeing, knowing that we are willing to sacrifice even our comfort to serve God and others.

We must also remember that this desire to cling to our worldly comfort not only refers to money. It also can be about time, talent or anything else that keep from the Lord for comfort’s sake. How much of our own hearts do we hold back from God, afraid of what he will ask of us? When we trust that his plans for us are greater than our own plans, we can be more generous and more at peace.

A second lesson we can take from the poor widow is that what we offer is not measured by its worth in comparison to others. Therefore, our generosity is not limited by our income, or our talents, or our time. When we give from our need, no matter how small or large that gift is, God recognizes the great sacrifice and transforms us through it.

This should give us comfort as we struggle to grow in virtue. Often we feel that we are overwhelmed by certain temptations, perhaps even more than those around us. While someone can eat temperately, act chastely, and give without counting the cost, we may feel that our gluttony or lust or greed keep us from acting freely in those areas. This is because our capacity still needs to develop through our effort and God’s grace.

However, we should never despair, for despair is the tool of the evil one who does not want us to advance in virtue. Instead, we should offer everything we can with regards to these virtues, even if it seems meager in comparison to others. When we fall, as we often do in our primary vices, we go to Confession and resolve to try again to offer our best. In this, we continue to grow in virtue, step by step, and always confident that we are being judged and transformed by our Lord, who sees into our hearts.

Let us pray that in all things we are willing and able to give beyond our comfort level and hand control of our lives to God. It is in this sacrifice and generosity that we live as Christians, offering our best for our salvation and for the service of Jesus Christ and his church.

Fr. Wagner is parochial vicar of St. Veronica Church in Chantilly.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 12
38.	And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,	Et dicebat eis in doctrina sua : Cavete a scribis, qui volunt in stolis ambulare, et salutari in foro,	και ελεγεν αυτοις εν τη διδαχη αυτου βλεπετε απο των γραμματεων των θελοντων εν στολαις περιπατειν και ασπασμους εν ταις αγοραις
39.	And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:	et in primis cathedris sedere in synagogis, et primos discubitus in cœnis :	και πρωτοκαθεδριας εν ταις συναγωγαις και πρωτοκλισιας εν τοις δειπνοις
40.	Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.	qui devorant domos viduarum sub obtentu prolixæ orationis : hi accipient prolixius judicium.	οι κατεσθιοντες τας οικιας των χηρων και προφασει μακρα προσευχομενοι ουτοι ληψονται περισσοτερον κριμα
41.	And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.	Et sedens Jesus contra gazophylacium, aspiciebat quomodo turba jactaret æs in gazophylacium, et multi divites jactabant multa.	και καθισας ο ιησους κατεναντι του γαζοφυλακιου εθεωρει πως ο οχλος βαλλει χαλκον εις το γαζοφυλακιον και πολλοι πλουσιοι εβαλλον πολλα
42.	And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.	Cum venisset autem vidua una pauper, misit duo minuta, quod est quadrans,	και ελθουσα μια χηρα πτωχη εβαλεν λεπτα δυο ο εστιν κοδραντης
43.	And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.	et convocans discipulos suos, ait illis : Amen dico vobis, quoniam vidua hæc pauper plus omnibus misit, qui miserunt in gazophylacium.	και προσκαλεσαμενος τους μαθητας αυτου λεγει αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν οτι η χηρα αυτη η πτωχη πλειον παντων βεβληκεν των βαλλοντων εις το γαζοφυλακιον
44.	For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.	Omnes enim ex eo, quod abundabat illis, miserunt : hæc vero de penuria sua omnia quæ habuit misit totum victum suum.	παντες γαρ εκ του περισσευοντος αυτοις εβαλον αυτη δε εκ της υστερησεως αυτης παντα οσα ειχεν εβαλεν ολον τον βιον αυτης

38. And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39. And the chief seats in the Synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40. Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

PSEUDO-JEROME; After confuting the Scribes and Pharisees, He burns up as a fire their dry and withered examples; wherefore it is said, And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing.

BEDE; To walk in long clothing is to go forth into public clad in garments too much ornamented, in which amongst other things, that rich man, who fared sumptuously every day, is said to have sinned.

THEOPHYL. But they used to walk in honorable garments because they wished to be highly esteemed for it, and in like manner they desired other things, which lead to glory. For it goes on: And love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts.

BEDE; We must observe that He does not forbid that those, to whom it falls by the rule of their office, should be saluted in the marketplace, or have chief seats and places at feasts, but He teaches that those who hove those things unduly, whether they have them or no, are to be avoided by the faithful as wicked men: that is, He blames the intention and not the office; although this too is culpable, that the very men who wish to be called masters of the synagogue in Moses' seat, should have to do with lawsuits in the marketplace. We are in two ways ordered to beware of those who are desirous of vain glory; first, we should not be seduced by their hypocrisy into thinking that what they do is good; nor secondly, should we be excited to imitate them, through a vain rejoicing in being praised for those virtues which they affect.

THEOPHYL. He also especially teaches the Apostles, not to have any communication with the scribes, but to imitate Christ Himself; and in ordaining them to be masters in the duties of life, He places others under them.

BEDE; But they do not only seek for praise from men, but also for gain. Wherefore there follows, Which devour widows' houses, under the pretense of long prayers. For there are men who pretending to be just hesitate not to receive money from persons who are troubled in conscience, as though they would be their advocates in the judgment. A hand stretched out to the poor is always an accompaniment to prayer, but these men pass the night in prayer, that they may take away money from the poor.

THEOPHYL. But the Scribes used to come to women, who were left without the protection of their husbands, as though they were their protectors; and by a pretense of prayer, a reverend exterior and hypocrisy, they used to deceive widows, and thus also devour the houses of the rich. it goes on, These shall receive a greater damnation, that is, than the other Jews, who sinned.

41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43. And he called to him his disciples, and said to them, Verily I say to you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

BEDE; The Lord, who had warned them to avoid the desire of high place and vain glory, now distinguishes by a sure test those who brought in gifts. Wherefore it is said, And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. In the Greek language, phylassein means to keep, and gaza is a Persian word for treasure; wherefore the word gazophylacium which is here used means a place where riches are kept, which name also was applied to the chest in which the offerings of the people were collected, for the necessary uses of the temple, and to the porch in which they were kept. You have a notice of the porch in the Gospel, These words spoke Jesus in the treasury as He taught in the temple; and of the chest in the book of Kings, But Jehoida the priest took a chest.

THEOPHYL. Now there was a praiseworthy custom amongst the Jews, that those who were able and willing should put something into the treasury, for the maintenance of the priests, the poor, and the widows; wherefore there is added, And many that were rich cast in much. But whilst many people were so engaged, a poor widow came up, and showed her love by offering money according to her ability; wherefore it is said, And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing

BEDE; Reckoners use the word 'quadrans' for the fourth part of anything, be it place, money, or time. Perhaps then in this place is meant the fourth part of a shekel, that is, five pence. It goes on, And he called to him his disciples, and said to them, Verily I say to you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for God does not weigh the property but the conscience of those who offer; nor did He consider the smallness of the sum in her offering, but what was the store from which it came.

Wherefore He adds, For all they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But in a mystical sense, they are rich, who bring forth from the treasure of their heart things new and old, which are the obscure and hidden things of Divine wisdom in both testaments; but who is the poor woman, if it be not I and those like me, who cast in what I can, and have the will to explain to you, where I have not the power. For God does not consider how much you hear, but what is the store from which it comes; but each at all events can bring his farthing, that is, a ready will, which is called a farthing, because it is accompanied by three things, that is, thought, word, and deed. And in that it is said that she cast in all her living, it is implied that all that the body wants is that by which it lives; wherefore it is said, All the labor of man is for his mouth.

THEOPHYL. Or else; That widow is the soul of man, which leaving Satan to which it had been joined, casts into the temple two mites, that is, the flesh and the mind, the flesh by abstinence, the mind by humility, that so it may be able to hear that it has cast away all its living, and has consecrated it, leaving nothing for the world of all that it possessed.

BEDE; Again, in an allegorical way, the rich men, who cast gifts into the treasury, point out the Jews puffed up with the righteousness of the law; the poor widow is the simplicity of the Church: poor indeed, because she has cast away the spirit of pride and of the desires of worldly things; and a widow, because Jesus her husband has suffered death for her. She casts two mites into the treasury, because she brings the love of God and of her neighbor, or the gifts of faith and prayer; which are looked upon as mites in their own insignificance, but measured by the merit of a devout intention are superior to all the proud works of the Jews. The Jew sends of his abundance into the treasury, because he presumes on his own righteousness; but the Church sends her whole living into God's treasury, because she understands that even her very living is not of her own desert, but of Divine grace.

Catena Aurea Mark 12

Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

6th century
Ravenna, Italy

Archdiocese of Washington

The Paradox of Poverty - A Homily for the 32nd Sunday of the Year

Msgr. Charles Pope • November 10, 2018 •

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath, Bernardo Strozzi (1630s)

The first reading in today’s Mass (1 Kings 17:10-16) speaks to us of the paradox of poverty: it is our poverty, our neediness, that provides a doorway for God to bless us with true riches. Our emptiness provides room for God to go to work.

In our worldly riches, we feel we have “too much to lose”; the Gospel just seems too demanding. In our poverty, emptiness, and detachment from this world, however, there is a strange and unexpected freedom that makes it easier to step out in faith—and stepping out in faith is the only thing that can save us.

Yes, poverty brings freedom. You can’t steal from someone who has nothing, and you can’t kill someone who has already died to this world.

Are you poor enough to be free? There’s a strange blessing in poverty. Let’s look at the first reading to see how poverty can usher in strange blessings.

The Desire Portrayed – In the first reading, the prophet Elijah encounters a widow at the entrance of the city of Zarephath, a name that means “refining fire.” 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.

Both Elijah and the widow are hungry and thirsty, for there is famine in the land. As God’s prophet, Elijah speaks not only for himself but for God when he asks the poor woman to share her meager food with him. God has a desire, a hunger, for us. The woman also has desires, but hers need to be purified in this place of “refining fire.”

The widow’s hunger for earthly food is a symbol for a deeper hunger: a hunger for communion with God. At some point our hunger must meet God’s hunger—that point we call Holy Communion. It is a place where our hunger for God and His for us meet, and we find serenity. Every other hunger merely points to this hunger, and every other “food” is but a cruel, temporary morsel until this deepest hunger is satisfied.

Thus, two people meet at a place called “refining fire.” It is desire that has drawn them, a desire that is ultimately satisfied only in God.

The Dimensions of Poverty – The woman articulates her poverty in responding to Elijah’s request: 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.

We may wonder why God allows poverty and suffering. The quick answer is that it is because there is such grave risk in riches and comfort. The Lord is well aware of how hard it is for the wealthy and comfortable to enter the Kingdom of God. In riches we trust in ourselves, but in poverty we can only trust in God; it is only through trusting faith that we can ever be saved.

There is a kind of freedom in poverty. The poor have less to lose.

They can operate in wider dimensions and have a kind of freedom that the wealthy often lack.

Not only is it hard to steal from a poor man, but it also takes little to enrich him. A man who has lived in a great palace may be discouraged with a humble domicile, while a poor one may be satisfied with a single small room to call his own. A hungry man may appreciate mere scraps of food, while one who is already satiated may need caviar to feel grateful. The rich miss many of life’s little blessings and may suffer from boredom, whereas the poor delight in even small pleasures. The rich man’s world gets ever smaller and less satisfying; the poor are more likely to truly appreciate even the humblest things.

Here again is the paradox of poverty, wherein less is more, gratitude is easier to find, and losses are less painful. As we shall see, it is the widow’s poverty that opens her to lasting blessings. Having little to lose, she is free enough to accept the next stage of our story.

The Demand that is Prescribed – God’s prophet, Elijah, summons her to trusting faith: “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.’”

Elijah tells her not to be afraid to share. In effect, he teaches her that the Lord will not be outdone in generosity. On a human level, Elijah’s request seems almost cruel, but from a spiritual perspective he is summoning her to the faith that alone can truly save her.

Note that although she is afraid, her fear is easily overcome. Why? Because she has little to lose. So many of our fears are rooted in the fear of loss. The more we have, the more we have to be anxious about. In recent decades we have grown increasingly wealthy yet seem to have more problems. What are our chief problems? Fear and anxiety about the loss, maintenance, and protection of all our “stuff.” Scripture says, The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep (Eccl 5:12). This is so true! The wealthier we have become the more we’ve been spending on psychotherapy and psychotropic drugs. We are anxious about so many things; insomnia and stress are common today.

We have too much stuff, too much to lose. Most of us, hearing Elijah’s request, would call him crazy or cruel or both. This woman is free enough to take him up on his offer. How about us?

We, too, must come to realize that looking merely to our own self-interest will only feed us for a day. Only in openness to God and others can we procure a superabundant food, that which will draw us to life eternal.

The Deliverance Produced – Having little to lose, the woman trusts in God’s word through Elijah and shares her food. 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.

If we learn to trust God, we come to discover that He never fails. Of course, this takes faith, and faith involves risk. This is where poverty can have its advantages. The widow takes the risk and shares what little she has. For her, the risk is immediate, but ultimately it is a lesser risk because she has so little to lose.

So, the woman is free enough to risk it all. Her only gamble is trusting God, and God does not fail. Scripture says,

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days (Eccles 11:1).
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38).
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward (Matt 10:42).
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Cor 9:6).
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to (Deut 15:10).
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done (Prov 19:17).
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor (Prov 22:9).
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses (Prov 28:27).

Do you believe all this? Or are these just slogans for others? Well, you never know until you try. If you don’t think you can try, maybe you have too much to lose.

Consider this woman who was poor enough to be free and free enough to try the Lord—and God did not fail. He never fails. I am a witness, how about you?

Daily Gospel Reflections

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
1Kings 17:10-16 II: Hebrews 9:24-28

Gospel
Mark 12:38-44

³⁸ In the course of his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
³⁹ seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.
⁴⁰ They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."
⁴¹ He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
⁴² A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
⁴³ 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.
⁴⁴ For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Interesting Details

"as a pretext recite lengthy prayers ."(NAB) or, "for a show make lengthy prayers." (NIV). Their prayers are directed at human rather than to God.
"greetings in the marketplaces ". According to the Talmud, when two people meet in the public, the one who is less knowledgeable of the law should greet the other first.
Treasury (or collection box) is most likely, one of the thirteen trumpet-shaped chests placed in the court of the temple. The copper coins when dropped into these receptacles would reverberate and thus will draw attention to both the giver and the amount of coins.
The small copper coin that the widow offers is a "lepton", the smallest monetary denomination, which is about 1/8 of a Roman penny, or 1/32 of a "denarius" (a daily wage of a day labor). In Mt 10:29 it is stated that two sparrows is sold for a penny. So, the two coins of the widow cannot even buy one sparrow.
The mention of two coins is important: the woman could have kept one for herself. But instead she had let go of her own security and offer herself wholly to God. These words addressed to the disciples are the final words on discipleship at the close of Jesus' ministry.
According to some commentators, Jesus does not praise but rather laments this woman's behavior. She has been taught "sacrificial giving" by her religious leaders, and that is the pity.

One Main Point

While we are content to be guided by appearances, to judge people by what they possess and to value presents by how much they cost, Christ measures us by our inner motives and attitudes behind our actions.

Reflections

Why do I do what I do? What benefits do I get from others? What benefits do I expect from God? What really motivates my behavior?
Do I assume that the more I do or contribute, the better? What standard do I use to discern, to decide what I should do and how much? Am I aware of different standards and motivators? How free am I to choose my standard?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3704986/posts

Saint of the Day — Saint Martin of Tours

St. Martin of Tours and the Search for Holiness
Becoming Generous Givers: St. Martin of Tours shows us how [Catholic Caucus]
ST. MARTIN OF TOURS
Saint Martin of Tours Bishop, Confessor 316-400[Patron of Soldiers]

Information: St. Martin of Tours

Feast Day: November 11

Born: 316, Savaria, Hungary

Died: November 8, 397, Candes, France

Patron of: against poverty; against alcoholism; beggars; Beli Manastir; Buenos Aires; Burgenland; cavalry; Dieburg; Edingen equestrians; Foiano della Chiana; France; geese; horses; hotel-keepers; innkeepers; Kortrijk; diocese of Mainz; Olpe; Pietrasanta; Pontifical Swiss Guards; quartermasters; reformed alcoholics; riders; diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart; soldiers; tailors; Utrecht; vintners; Virje; wine growers; wine makers; Wissmannsdorf

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Sunday, November 11

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours,
bishop. He became bishop of Tours in 341
A.D. The diocese was mostly pagan, but St.
Martin's devotion to God and caring attitude
toward the people converted most of the city to
Christianity.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: November 11th

Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

November 11, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Old Calendar: Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

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 (Mark 12:41-44)."

The feast of St. Martin of Tours, which is ordinarily celebrated today, is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the First Book of Kings 17:10-16.In this reading we have one of the many miracles attributed to Elijah, the great prophet who preached in the northern kingdom between 900 and 850 BC.

The second reading is from St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews 9:24-28. This epistle continues with its description of Christ as the high priest of the New Testament and his superiority over those of the Old Testament.

The Gospel is from the Gospel of St. Mark 12:38-44. Our Lord's severe condemnation of those Scribes whose exaggerated opinion of their own importance made a mockery of the religion they professed to live, is a serious warning to all his followers not to look for the praise and esteem of their neighbors when doing their good works, but rather to hope for God's praise and esteem in the future world. In another context, he said to his followers: "Because of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven . . . when you give alms do not let your left hand know what your right is doing ... and your Father who sees in secret will reward you .. . when you pray go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father ... who sees in secret and will reward you" (Mt. 6: 1-6).

It is hardly necessary to say that our Lord is not referring to community prayers or services here. What he is condemning is the hypocrisy of the Scribes, who lengthened their garments and their prayers not in order to give glory to God but to earn the glory of their fellowmen for themselves. Pride was their predominant vice—the vice which caused the fall of angels and of man. It so governed their lives that even their best actions were vitiated by it. There is a strong inclination to pride in every one of us. The reason is that we have great gifts from God and great capabilities: but we are tempted to claim the credit for these gifts and capabilities for ourselves—whereas we owe them all to God's generosity.

A proud Christian is surely a contradiction in terms. A Christian is a follower of Christ whose humility can never be equaled. He was God as well as man. While on earth he emptied himself, as St. Paul puts it, of his divine glory so that he could be like one of us. A follower of Christ should not try to make display of gifts which are not his own, nor try to exalt himself above his neighbor because of something he has which was not given to his neighbor. If Christ wanted to be, and indeed was like the least one among us, we must never try to raise ourselves above our neighbor. Love of neighbor is the second of the two essential commandments—there can be no true love of neighbor where there is pride.

The second incident in today's Gospel story highlights true humility and true charity. The poor widow, forgetful of herself and of her own needs gave her all, her last penny, to help others who were in need. She made this sacrifice without publicity and without seeking the praise of her neighbors. It is this deep contrast between her outlook on life and on religion, and that of the Scribes in the first that connects the two incidents. While the Scribes sought to earn the respect and praise of their fellow-Jews—as well as all the financial gain they could come by—from the practice of the externals of their religion, this poor widow's religion was practiced in secret and it was to God alone that she looked for any reward that he might deign to give her.

As we saw in today's first reading we can be sure that she was not left without the reward she deserved. The widow of Zarephath was given a temporal reward. The same generous God did not let the similar act of supreme generosity on the part of the widow in Jerusalem go unnoticed. Christ's judgment on the Scribes implies this: They will receive the greater condemnation for their pride, and abuse of religion for their own temporal gain. On the other hand the widow's religion was an act of complete self-renunciation: "she has put in everything she had, her whole living."

We may never be called on to share our last morsel with a starving neighbor but if we are, we must remember that Christ gave his very life for us and has asked us to do likewise, if necessary. It may never be necessary for us to make this supreme act of self-renunciation. If, however, we are sincerely practicing our religion, we must be ever-ready to help a neighbor in need even if this cuts into our hard-earned reserves. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the reward.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

The Word Among Us

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

This poor widow . . . (Mark 12:43)

Let’s take a short Bible quiz based on today’s readings.

1. “The fatherless and the _________ he sustains” (Psalm 146:9).

2. The woman who helped Elijah in today’s first reading is often called “the _________ of Zarepath”

(Luke 4:26).

3. The woman who put two small coins into the Temple treasury in today’s Gospel was a ___________ (Mark 12:42).

If you answered “widow” for all three, you’re right. From Ruth and Naomi to the old woman in today’s Gospel, widows play an important role in Scripture. Along with orphans, they are considered the most vulnerable of people. And it’s because of how humble, needy, and powerless they are that God has a special love for them. It’s also why he commands us to treat them in a special way.

The heroine in today’s Gospel had nothing to offer people. She had no money, no social status, no influence that would help anyone get ahead. She was probably too old to care for children or to do even menial housework. All anyone could do was give to her—care for her, protect her, and treat her with respect and honor.

Jesus himself seemed to have a special love for widows. He went out of his way to raise the son of a lonely widow from the dead (Luke 7:11-17). He told a story about a persistent widow to teach us how to pray (18:1-8). And he made sure his disciples saw the generosity of the widow in the Temple.

Jesus has commanded us also to have a special care for widows—along with widowers, orphans, the vulnerable, and the needy as well. Some of them are hanging on by a thread, and they need our help. What’s more, caring for God’s beloved poor also has the power to rescue us from selfishness, pride, and self-sufficiency. It teaches us to serve as Jesus does. In the end, it just may be what will save us.

“Lord, help me to love the widow and the orphan, not just with my thoughts, but with my hands as well.”

1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 146:7-10
Hebrews 9:24-28

Daily Gospel Commentary

Saint Anselm (1033-1109)
monk, bishop, doctor of the Church
Letter 112, to Hugh the recluse

"She has contributed all she had"

In the Kingdom of heaven absolutely everyone, as one person, will become a single king alongside God, because all will desire one thing alone and their wish will be fulfilled. This is the good thing that, from heaven's heights, God puts up for sale.

Now if someone is wondering what the cost is, here is their answer: he who offers a Kingdom in heaven has no need of earthly coin. No one can offer God anything except what already belongs to him since all that exists is his. And yet God does not give away so great a thing without a price being placed on it: he does not give it to someone who doesn't value it. For indeed, nobody gives away something they hold dear without placing some kind of value on it. From now on, then, if God has no need of your goods neither does he have to give you this great thing if you refuse to love him: all he requires is love, without which nothing constrains his giving. Love, then, and you will receive the Kingdom; love, and you will possess it... Love God more than yourself and already you begin to have what it is you desire to possess fully in heaven.

A Christian Pilgrim

OUT OF HER POVERTY, THE WIDOW HAS PUT IN EVERYTHING SHE HAD, HER WHOLE LIVING

(A biblical refection on THE 32^nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B] – 11 NOVEMBER 2018)

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:38-44

First Reading: 1Kings 17:10-16; Psalms: Psalm 146:7-10; Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

The Scripture Text

And in His teaching He said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And He called His disciples to Him, and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.” (Mark 12:38-44 RSV)

Because the scribes were able to read and write, most people in the first century Palestine respected them for their intelligence. Some of these learned scholars loved all the attention they got and did everything they could to get even more of the spotlight.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus criticizes the scribes of the Pharisee party for wearing long robes and accepting marks of respect in public. The robes may have been the wide, scarf-like prayer shawl (called the Tallit) that Jews wore only while praying. Some scribes continued wearing these prayer shawls long after they finished reciting their prayers so others would see they had been praying and would think they were holy.

These scribes also preferred sitting in the synagogue’s front seats which the town’s dignitaries usually occupied. Many of them coveted the seat in the very front because it faced the congregation and everyone present noticed those who sat there. The seats farthest back were for the lower classes, women and children.

Jesus criticizes these scribes because they did not perform their actions out of genuine holiness but because they wanted the attention of others. Their intentions were very different from that of the poor widow in today’s Gospel.

In the Temple, there were thirteen trumpet-shaped chests for collecting offerings, each for a specific purpose (e.g. to buy oil for the lamps in the Temple). Rich people probably got everyone’s watched them. Since ancient people did not use paper money, the sound of the coins hitting the inside of the metallic trumpet made it obvious how much money they gave. While His apostles observe this happening, Jesus calls their attention to the poor widow who quietly contributes only a few small coins. This woman’s holiness exceeded that of the scribes and the rich because she didn’t give to be noticed by others but to be noticed by God.

All of us are sometimes like the scribes. We want to be noticed and we want others to think well of us.

(Adapted from Jerome J. Sabatowich, Cycling Through the Gospels – Gospel Commentaries for Cycles A, B, and C, pages 220-221.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith and enable us to be generous with our time and our possessions in order to build up YOUR BODY, the Church. Amen.

The Gospel in Pictures and Captions

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for November 11, 2018:

“For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mk 12:44) We are called to give ALL to God, not just our surplus. Offer your day, your work, and your marriage to the Lord. Live for Him.

God Has a Purpose for My Life

Pastor’s Column

32^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 11, 2018

“…but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had”

from Mark 12:41-44

Today’s gospel finds Jesus sitting by the place in the temple where people would put their money offerings, silently watching. Many had lots to give, but Jesus is more attracted to a poor widow who put in only two small coins, for she gives everything she had.

There are times in all of our lives when we may wonder what purpose God has in mind for us or what possible mission or purpose there can be. What am I here for? Why am I sick or have these family troubles or an issue that simply will not go away at work or in my personal life?

This beautiful prayer from Blessed John Newman I hope will help some of you who may need it. Cardinal Newman wrote it during a troubled period of his life. He never lost hope; “God knows what he is about”.

Father Gary

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.

Blessed John Henry Newman

Reflections from Scott Hahn

The Widows’ Faith: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Download Audio File

The Widow’s Mite, Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, 6th c.

Readings:
1 Kings 1:10–16
Psalm 146:7–10
Hebrews 9:24–28
Mark 12:41–44

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 the 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.

32nd Sunday: "To give from our need"

"This poor widow put in more than all . . ."

Mark 12: 38-44

Sunday Word: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111118.cfm

Christian writer C.S. Lewis begins his essay entitled “Let’s pretend” with a short example about a man who wore a mask.

He tells of an unattractive man who wore a more attractive mask for many years. He dressed up as another person in a sense. After a long period of time, he one day took off the mask and noticed that his face had conformed to the shape of the more attractive mask and he was changed into something he only could hope to become. Would that it was all that easy!

But the point Lewis makes is that we, as followers of Christ, are called to a new form; a new image and a significant change to be more like Christ himself, the Son of God and the perfect human being. The beast in us must be tamed and the ugliness of sin replaced by the more beautiful. While the change is not meant to be physical, it is meant to be one of character and holiness in our Christian life. The best way to do this, Lewis writes, is to imitate Jesus; to pretend to be like him not in an arrogant way, but through humility, love and generosity. In a sense to put on his mask and allow it to become our identity.

We can learn from Christ and through constant imitation, even if it feels like pretending to be something we are not, over time we become what we imitate. It is somewhat like learning to overcome a bad habit. The more I replace bad behavior with good, the more over time I will learn a new way and overcome what has been holding me back. Through God’s grace all things are possible.

There is probably no better behavior than to imitate the love and generosity of God. The ultimate example of this we hear in our second reading today from Hebrews. Christ came to “take away sin once for all.” The outpouring of Jesus’ life in his death and resurrection offers us the ultimate example of generosity. Something we should daily imitate and trust that God will change us.

The further example of the two widows in the first reading from Kings and the Gospel of Mark, may offer us a real life example. The first widow is visited by the prophet Elijah who asks her for food after a long journey. The problem is, she has nearly nothing and is found gathering bare existence for herself and her son. Still, the prophet insists, which seems a little insensitive, but he assures her that God will provide if she acts in faith. Indeed she does and she and her son have enough food for a year’s supply. She trusted in the prophet’s word and she was rewarded for that trust. In a further sense both the prophet and the widow were blessed as both were relieved from hunger.

The second widow is the familiar story of the “widow’s mite.” By contrast Jesus notes the very wealthy, who probably offered only what was required for the Temple treasury, leave little to impress Jesus. Their giving is hardly sacrificial but offered in order to continue the illusion of generosity and righteousness.

So the very poor widow with barely an existence pours in the little she has: “Her whole livelihood,” as Jesus states. Her generosity was marked by sacrifice and trust for her faith assured her, like the widow in our first reading that God would provide for those who do good.

So, there is a basic lesson here in generosity; in how and why we give. The “law of the gift” as stated by Pope St. John Paul II reminds us that this is simply the way God has designed us and in some way maybe even nature itself. The more that is given away, the more returns. In order for life to continue, for example, some of life must be given away and that produces more life.

In the case of the widows, and ourselves here, we recognize our call to imitate, to become more like Christ. To give away ourselves is not foolish. For in doing so, we receive back so much more. Whether it’s sharing of time, our treasure, our knowledge, our energy, our support and love towards others we find that it all comes back to us hundredfold. The two widows acted in faith despite having so little.

Like C.S. Lewis’ example of the man who wore the mask, when we put on the beauty of Christ, the values of the Gospel, we over time become what we first pretend to be and later are. To imitate the kindness of God by generously offering ourselves not for public recognition but as an act of faith in God’s care for us, we become more attractive to God himself. God favors the humble and trusting ones. Those on the margin, the humble and trusting who have no pretense are blessed indeed - the “poor in spirit.”

It’s so fundamental to how we must live as Christians that to not be this way, we might say, is to no longer truly be a disciple of the Lord. Self-centeredness and greed fly in the face of the Christian Gospel. Our celebration of the Eucharist is all about giving thanks and about allowing ourselves to be fed both in Word and Sacrament to become who we hear and feed upon.

Put on that mask of Christ. Follow his word, act in trust, and God will change us to become more like who we imitate.

Almighty and merciful God,

graciously keep from us all adversity,

so that, unhindered in mind and body alike,

we may pursue in freedom of heart

the things that are yours.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

(Collect of Mass)

Regnum Christi

November 11, 2018 – A Call to Authenticity

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Paul Campbell, LC

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.

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?

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.

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 and with interest.

Resolution: I will trust in God’s providence and give him something today that I’ve been holding back.