November 10, 2024
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16)
Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28)
Gospel: Mark 12:41-44
In the first reading we see the act of generosity of a widow of Zarephath to Prophet Elijah.
One can imagine the situation of this woman.
It was the time of famine when the heaven was shut for three and half years upon the word of Elijah. The woman had nothing left except handful of flours and little jar of oil. When Elijah asked for cake, the woman accepted his proposal and baked some cake for him. As a reward, God blessed her, and the flour and the oil never finished.
We can see that the widow had a generous heart and God rewarded her for the sacrifices.
In the gospel, Jesus 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. Mark 12:41–42
I am sure that what Jesus wanted to portray was about the true generosity of the widow.
Supposing you are in charge of a church and some rich people give 50,000 Naira for collection and the poor widow gives 2 Naira, who are you going to appreciate?
I am sure that most people will praise and appreciate those that gave them 50,000. However, for Jesus, it was the contrary.
Now, let us see the reason why Jesus praised the widow.
First, she didn’t give a little from the plenty she had but she gave all she had. This means that the percentage of what she gave was 1000%. Maybe some of those rich people didn’t even give up to 1/2 % of what they have.
Secondly, she gave generously without grinding. Some people give but they complain about giving. They don’t complain for the blessings God gives them.
Thirdly, when she was giving, she was not doing that to show off or receive praises. No she gave because she knows that only God sees all.
Fourth, she was a cheerful giver. Not lamenting or grumbling.
Fifth,, she gave with love. Not giving with hatred.
Lastly, she didn’t give because she was expecting God to pay her back.
These are the beautiful lessons we learned from the two widows in the first reading and the gospel today. What about us.
Do we give like them or we give for the opposite of what we have mentioned above.
Remember the gift of Cain and Abel in the Genesis.
Do we give the best to the Lord or we give what is rotten.
We pray that Almighty God may help us always to be generous.
May Almighty God bless us and protect us from all evils through Christ our Lord Amen.
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday.
