Sunday Sermon - 10 November 2024- XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)- Rev. Dr. Patrick Mathias

 

Sunday 10 November 2024- XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Mass Readings: 1Kgs 17:10-16   Ps 145   Heb 9:24-28   Mk 12:38-44

Key verse to meditate: Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury (Mk 12:43).

My dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

This Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to reflect on the powerful figure of the poor widow who made a humble yet profound contribution to the temple treasury. The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday introduces us to two remarkable widows, each a model of faith and generosity.

In the first reading, we encounter the widow of Zarephath, who, by obeying the word of the Lord, provided for the prophet Elijah during a time of severe drought. Similarly, in today’s Gospel, we see another poor widow who offered everything she had to live on in the temple treasury, holding nothing back. In these two women, God takes notice of the poor and the generous-hearted, showing us the kind of offering that is pleasing in His sight.

The second reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, reminds us of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the Cross—a sacrifice that transcends time, covering the sins of the past, present, and future. Through Christ’s perfect obedience and the shedding of His precious blood, we are now brought closer to God, cleansed and invited into His presence.

The First Reading: The Widow of Zarephath

In today’s first reading, we encounter the profound generosity of the widow of Zarephath toward the prophet Elijah. It’s remarkable to observe how God provided for Elijah during the severe drought, first by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan (1 Kgs 17:3), where ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and evening. Elijah trusted in God’s word and made his home by this brook. Yet, when the brook eventually dried up, God sent Elijah to Zarephath, a city about ten kilometers south of Sidon. This time, God had appointed a widow, one of society's most vulnerable members, to care for the prophet (1 Kgs 17:9). In a time of dire scarcity, God’s provision reached Elijah through seemingly impossible means—first through ravens, and now through the hospitality of a destitute widow.

The Word of the Lord: A Test of Faith and Sacrifice

Arriving at the widow’s home amidst the great famine, Elijah, driven by hunger, asked her for a piece of bread along with a glass of water. The widow explained her desperate situation: her final portion of flour and oil was all that remained, just enough for one last meal for herself and her son before they expected to die of starvation. Yet, despite her grim reality, she was willing to share this last bit with Elijah, putting her life and the life of her son at risk. Moved by her faith, Elijah promised her in God’s name: "The jar of meal will not be emptied, and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth" (1 Kgs 17:14). Acting on Elijah’s words, the widow experienced God’s miraculous provision, and her jar of meal and jug of oil remained full throughout the drought. Her willingness to trust and obey led to a miracle that sustained her entire household.

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Though a Canaanite, this widow accepted the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah. She responded with faith, and her openness to God’s command led to a miraculous abundance. This story reminds us that God can work wonders even in the most challenging circumstances, provided we accept His word with faith and a willing heart. For the widow, Elijah’s words brought life and hope, transforming her despair into an experience of divine providence.

The Generosity of the Poor Widow

The generous spirit of this poor widow not only pleased God but also moved the great prophet to intercede for her. Initially, she faced the prophet with little hope of survival, yet after receiving his blessing, a renewed hope filled her heart. Her encounter with Elijah in the Old Testament echoes Jesus’ later encounter with the Samaritan woman. Just as Elijah sought sustenance from the widow, Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink. Like the widow, this Samaritan woman initially resisted, pointing out her lack of a vessel. Both women felt a sense of hopelessness until they encountered a message of life: Elijah promised the widow sustenance during the drought, and Jesus offered the Samaritan woman “living water” that would quench her thirst forever.

Both stories reveal a profound truth: God often chooses the least expected to carry out His work. The widow and the Samaritan woman were unlikely recipients of God’s grace, yet their encounters with God’s messengers transformed their lives and gave them renewed hope. These stories encourage us to embrace God’s word, even when it seems improbable, for in doing so, we open ourselves to His miracles and His boundless grace.

The Second Reading: The Perfect Sacrifice of Christ the High Priest

In today’s second reading, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews reveals the profound significance of Christ’s sacrifice—a sacrifice offered once and for all for the remission of sins. Through this single, perfect offering, Christ entered heaven in glory, where He now stands before the Father, interceding on our behalf (cf. Col 1:20). This self-giving sacrifice grants sinners direct access to God’s presence, something previously unattainable through the Levitical system of sacrifices.

Unlike the repeated offerings made by Levitical priests, which could never fully take away sins, Christ’s sacrifice is both final and redemptive. Every year on the Day of Atonement, priests would offer sacrifices for the sins of the people, but these offerings could not establish a lasting relationship with God. In contrast, Jesus’ holy and personal sacrifice has brought us near to God’s presence, allowing us to find mercy before His throne. Christ’s obedience to God’s will, even to the point of death, far surpasses any animal sacrifice, fulfilling what these earlier sacrifices could only foreshadow.

As the eternal High Priest, Christ entered not into an earthly sanctuary but into the very presence of God, offering Himself for the forgiveness of sins—past, present, and future. His self-sacrifice on the cross canceled the debt of sin for all time, bringing us reconciliation with God. This truth also points to Christ’s promised return, when He will complete the work of salvation for all who have waited for Him in faith and hope. As Hebrews reminds us: “And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Heb 9:27-28).

Christ’s sacrifice is a gift of boundless love—a gift that not only reconciles us with God but also offers us hope for eternal life. Let us, therefore, embrace this perfect sacrifice with gratitude and anticipation, holding fast to the hope that one day we will see our Savior face to face.

The Gospel Reading: The Scribes and the Widow

Today’s Gospel presents the poor widow as a model of true faith, a woman whose heart is pure, whose trust in God is complete, and whose generosity is profound. She is a widow—a vulnerable person without support, without resources, and with no security for her future. Yet she does not hold back, giving all that she has to live on. She entrusts herself entirely to God, relying on Him not only to live but to survive. When faith reaches this depth, it moves the heart of Christ because it reflects a love for God that is genuine and pure—a love that exists simply for God’s sake. It’s a striking example of total reliance on God.

This poor widow’s offering seems small by worldly standards, yet it mirrors a powerful act of devotion. It’s almost as if a poor woman from a city’s slums were offering her last resources to a billionaire—a contribution that might seem insignificant to the world’s wealthiest, hardly worthy of a moment’s notice. But God takes notice. Jesus lifts up this widow’s gift as an example of true generosity and faith. Her contribution may have been part of fulfilling her vows to the Lord, but it was much more than that—it was an act of love for God and commitment to His commandments. Jesus praises her for having “put her whole life into the treasury.” She did not hide behind illusions of wealth or status but gave openly, honestly, and fearlessly.

 

Jesus’ Warning About the Scribes

At the beginning of today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions His disciples about the conduct of the scribes. He speaks plainly, pointing out their desire for public recognition. They wear long robes to set themselves apart, seeking greetings in the marketplace, the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. Worse yet, these scribes exploit the vulnerable, “devouring widows’ houses” and leaving them even more destitute. This criticism of the scribes leads directly to the story of the widow’s offering, highlighting the stark contrast between their self-serving behavior and her selfless generosity. Jesus warns that these scribes, who use their faith for personal gain and social standing, will receive a greater condemnation (Mk 12:38-40).

The Poor Widow and Her Offering: Two Copper Coins

In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus observes the widow as she places her offering in the temple treasury—two small coins. Though the amount is modest, it represents her entire livelihood. Jesus teaches us that in God’s eyes, her offering is priceless, for God does not measure by outward appearance but by the intentions of the heart (1 Sam 16:7). Many wealthy individuals put in large amounts, often with great display, so that others might hear the clinking of their coins and take note of their generosity. In contrast, this widow gives quietly, without drawing attention, placing in all she has and moving on.

Jesus praises her total generosity, remarking that she “put in everything she had to live on.” She didn’t worry about herself or her future—she gave to God wholeheartedly. Her act teaches us a powerful lesson: when we give ourselves completely to God, without reservation or expectation, God multiplies our offering and blesses it beyond measure. This widow’s faith and generosity are examples of true discipleship. Her story reminds us that even the smallest gift, when given with a pure heart and deep faith, has infinite value in the eyes of God. Let us learn from her example and strive to give ourselves fully to God, trusting that He will provide for us in ways beyond our understanding.

Lessons from Today’s Gospel

1. The Two Poor Widows

Dear friends, what lesson can we take from today’s readings? This Sunday’s liturgy introduces us to two widows—one pagan from the Old Testament and one Jewish from the Gospel of Mark—who, despite their poverty, demonstrate profound faith and hope, trusting completely in God’s providence. Each widow had very little—a handful of flour and a drop of oil, or two small coins—yet these small offerings brought great blessings. The widow in Zarephath saved the prophet Elijah, while the widow in today’s Gospel inspired Jesus Himself. Their actions provide powerful examples of humility, generosity, and faith.

Through these widows, Jesus teaches us to look beyond appearances and focus on the intentions of the heart. Both widows, though weak and marginalized, become the protagonists in the readings, representing those who are often overlooked or disregarded. In Jesus’ time, widows had little social security or support, often relying on alms and charity to survive. They were generally not respected—quite unlike the scribes, whom Jesus describes as those who seek attention and status. Jesus, who openly condemns the pride and pretension of the scribes, wholeheartedly appreciates the sacrificial love shown by the poor widow. The Gospel reminds us that God’s gaze is always upon the little ones, the weak, and the humble, of whom the widows are a symbol.

2. The Danger of Superiority Complex

Reflecting on the behavior of the scribes in Jesus’ time, we may see echoes of our own desire to appear superior or to seek admiration from others. Jesus warns us not to chase after the esteem of society, for such external pride is despised by God. Our world often values appearances and status, encouraging us to place worth on outward achievements and material success. But the Gospel invites us to resist the pull of exteriority, appearances, and empty pursuits. Jesus encourages us to nurture our inner lives, allowing sincerity, humility, and love to flourish. When we cling to falsehoods and appearances, we risk living in emptiness and illusion. Instead, we are called to adopt the Master’s perspective, to see the Kingdom of God in small, hidden, and humble acts.

Points for Personal Reflection

In the light of today's readings, the widow’s offering of two copper coins and the widow of Zarephath’s generosity remind us that true faith is about wholehearted trust and self-giving to God. These widows gave not out of abundance, but out of need, offering everything they had. Their acts of generosity reflect a heart fully surrendered to God, confident in His providence even when resources seem scarce.

Jesus contrasts these women’s humble offerings with the self-centered behavior of the scribes. In the first part of the Gospel, He warns against the scribes’ desire for wealth, power, and public admiration. Their actions are not rooted in love for God but in the pursuit of personal gain and superiority. By drawing attention to the widows’ sacrifices, Jesus teaches that God values not the quantity of our offerings but the quality of our hearts. The scribes’ quest for prestige stands in stark contrast to the widows’ pure, selfless faith.

In our own lives, we are called to give as the widows did—not from our surplus but from our very hearts. Let us reflect on what we offer to God: Are we giving out of a desire to appear righteous, or are we offering ourselves fully, trusting in God’s care and love? May we be inspired by these widows to give freely, not for recognition but for the joy of being close to God, assured that He takes notice of even our smallest, sincerest gifts. Let our lives, like theirs, be humble offerings of love and trust in God’s unfailing goodness.

Do I trust that God sees my struggles and understands my suffering?

Do I believe that God comes to the aid of the poor and alleviates their burdens?

Am I generous toward God and others, or do I calculate my offerings and hold back?

 

Let us seek to give freely, like the widows in today’s readings, trusting in God’s boundless love and providence. May we, too, be known for the authenticity of our faith and the generosity of our hearts.

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