Today's Gospel Reading - November 11, 2012 with Reflection

1^ST READING - 1 Kings 17:10-16

P S A L M - Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R: Praise the Lord, my soul!

7 The Lord keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives good to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. (R) 8 The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those that were bowed down; the Lord loves the just; 9 The Lord protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.(R)

2^ND READING - Hebrews 9:24-28

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 12:38-44

38 In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, 39 seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 40They 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.”

SABBATH

GIVE YOUR ALL A parish priest was trying to encourage his congregation to give out donations for their church renovation project. As the collection bag was being passed around, he made a passionate speech. “My dearly beloved, remember, God will not look at what you will put in the bag. He will look at what is left in your wallets.” Jesus in today’s Gospel gave a tribute to the poor widow’s temple contribution: “I want you to observe that this poor widow contributed more than all the others who donated to the treasury. They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her want, all she had to live on.” All she had to live on. Yes, God demands that we give our all. The word “all” seems to be a favorite of the Lord. In His other teachings in the Gospel, Jesus encouraged us to love God with all our hearts, all our soul and all our strength. However, I believe we should not understand “all” in a mathematical way. “All” should be understood not in the sense of arithmetic quantity but proportionate quality. For example, I don’t believe God expects us to literally empty our wallets every time the collection bag is passed before us. I’m sure God knows that families need to set something aside for food on the table. But “all” does mean that I don’t give loose change in church while I splurge for something like vanity items and recreation. Worshiping God with “all my heart” does not mean I spend 24 hours of my day in church, forgetting all my other responsibilities. But it does mean that church should be a priority in my activities for the day. It does mean that I put off my cell phone during Mass to block off potential distractions. It does mean I dispose myself well and consecrate that time for God. Give your “all” to God, always. And measure your “all” not with a calculator but with your heart. Fr. Joel Jason REFLECTION QUESTION: When you give, does it “hurt” you in a certain sense? If not, you may have just disposed of something you didn’t need or want after all. Lord Jesus, place before me always the true measure of giving — giving without measure. Amen. St. Martin of Tours, bishop, pray for us.

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