YearB: C.B Gospel Reading: 32 Sunday in Ordinary Time

32 Sunday in Ordinary Time:  Mark 12: 38-44

In his teaching to the crowds Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market square, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy 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, “I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; For they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had, has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.”

 

GUIDELINES TO HELP US TO MEDITATE ON THE PASSAGE SO AS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE GOD’S PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY IN OUR LIVES AND WORLD TODAY.

(Prepared by Volunteers from the Lectio Centre Project)

1. “Beware of the Scribes…” who are the people today who speak out courageously against injustice, abuse and pretention in public or private life. These are the voices of Jesus today.

We remember them with gratitude.

2. “This poor widow has put in more than all who have contributed to the Treasury”.  Who are the Jesus people today who open our eyes to see the greatness of “the poor widow” – symbol of all the little ones in our society and in our world.  We thank God for all “little ones” among us and we pray that they will always be cherished and treasured in our society and our world.

3. “She put in more than all who have contributed” Can you remember an experience of giving “all you had” – time, energy, talent or material things – leaving yourself short while trusting that your own needs would be taken care of?  We pray that such generosity of heart will be the hallmark of our Christian lives.