Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B November 11, 2018

First Reading
1 Kings 17:10-16
Through Elijah, a widow and her son are blest with enough flour and oil to
supply them for a year.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 146:7,8-9 9-10
A prayer of praise to God who raises up the lowly

Second Reading
Hebrews 9:24-28
Christ died once to take away sin; he will return again to bring salvation.

Gospel Reading
Mark 12:38-44 (shorter form, Mark 12:41-44)
Jesus notices a poor widow's offering and commends her great sacrifice.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."


Background on the Gospel Reading

The context for today's Gospel continues to be mounting tension between
Jesus and the Jewish authorities. Mark reports some of Jesus' teaching in
the Temple area in today's reading and in the preceding verses not
included in our Lectionary sequence. In the first part of today's Gospel,
we hear Jesus warn the crowds not to follow the example of the scribes in
seeking honor and attention from others. It is important to recall that
Mark indicates that Jesus taught these things while in the vicinity of the
Temple in Jerusalem. Mark is setting the stage for Jesus' passion.

Jesus then observes how Jewish pilgrims are making their contributions to
the temple treasury. The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish
worship in the time of Jesus. It was expected that observant Jews would
make pilgrimages to the Temple to offer prayer and sacrifices. Pilgrims
were also expected to make a financial contribution to the temple
treasury.

As we would expect to be the case, Jesus observes that those who were rich
contributed large sums to the treasury. Those with less means made smaller
contributions. A similar situation exists in most of our parishes as well.
Jesus calls attention, however, to a poor widow who makes the smallest of
contributions—two coins of little value. Jesus upholds the poor widow's
offering for his disciples' consideration, commending her because her
small offering was an act of profound generosity, giving from her
livelihood rather than her surplus.

To give from our livelihood is not only an act of generosity, it is also
an act of trust in God. We can only give from our need if we trust that
God will provide for us. Jesus himself demonstrates the ultimate act of
generosity and trust in God as he gives his life for us on the cross.


Family Connection

Today's Gospel leads us to think about our family's financial
contributions to our parish community, the diocese, other Church-sponsored
organizations, and other charitable organizations. Good stewardship
invites us to share our treasure as well as our time and talent.
Sometimes, however, decisions about a family's charitable giving are made
without our children's knowledge. Yet we teach more when we invite all
family members to be aware of how we contribute to our Church and to other
charitable organizations.

As you gather as a family, talk about your family's financial
contributions to your parish and to other Church activities. If your
family supports other charitable organizations, you might talk about these
as well. Talk together about why it is important for us to share our
resources with these organizations. Read today's Gospel, Mark 12:41-44.
Talk about what Jesus observes about the generosity of the poor widow.
Talk also about ways in which your family might also make a sacrificial
gift to support your parish or other charitable organization. (Perhaps
your family might choose not to go out to dinner but to contribute the
money to your parish). Invite all family members to participate in the
decision about what action you will take and which organization you will
support with your contribution. Conclude in prayer together asking God to
help your family be generous like the poor widow in today's Gospel. Pray
together the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.