Words of Spirit and Life

10. R. v. 2; Hebrews 9:24-28

Matthew 5:3

Mark 12:38-44 (or 41-44)  

Theme: GIVE YOURSELF TO OTHERS AND TRUST IN GOD

1. Today is the 32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Year B. The readings today tell us to give ourselves to others and to trust in God. The gospel today tells us that the widow gave herself to others. Although the widow gave only two small coins, she gave more than all the rich have given, because she gave all that she had to live on. She gave her life, she gave herself! She did not only give things or money, but she gave herself!

    The first reading tells us of another widow who in time of drought and famine shared her last meal with the prophet Elijah. Again, she did not only share food with Elijah, but she shared her life with Elijah! But God rewarded her with food even in time of drought and famine!

    Finally, the second reading tells us that Jesus himself did not only give us food or money, but he gave himself to us! He gave his life to us!

    The readings today tell us not only to give things and money to others, but also to give ourselves to others! Indeed it is more blessed to give than to receive; it is more happy to give than to receive!

2. The readings today also tell us that when we give to others, we do not only help others, but we also help ourselves to trust in God! The gospel today tells us that the widow gave away all that she had to live on and trusted in God! She trusted in providence! She believed that God provides! “Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on God’s saving justice, and all these other things will be given you as well.” (Mt 6:33/NJB)   

    Thus the “Gospel Acclamation” of today’s Mass: “How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:3) The poor in spirit are not only the materially poor or even the spiritually poor, but they are those who depend on God!   

    That is why our religious sisters, brothers and priests take the vow of poverty! Not because poverty is good, not even because they want to work for social justice, but because they trust in God, they depend on God. They believe in providence! They believe that God provides!

    Today I am happy to note that even among secular priests or diocesan priests there are those who practice voluntary poverty! Today I am even happier to note that even among laypeople there are those who practice voluntary poverty. They live a life of simplicity and detachment. Again, not because riches is bad and poverty is good, but because they trust in God, they depend on God. They trust in providence. They trust that God provides!

3. The first reading follows the theme of the gospel. The first reading tells us of another widow who during a time of drought and famine shared her last meal with the prophet Elijah. She shared all that she had to live on and she trusted in God. She believed in providence! She believed that God provides! Indeed God provided her with food even in time of drought and famine! Thus we read in the first reading:

    “The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.” (1 K 17:15-16)

4. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm tells us to trust in God the Redeemer who saves the oppressed, the helpless, the weak, the suffering and the vulnerable. (CSB/HCSB/NJBC)

    The responsorial psalm has three stanzas. The first stanza tells us to trust in God because God is faithful; because God gives justice to the oppressed, feeds the hungry and frees the prisoners. The second stanza tells us to trust in God, because God gives sight to the blind, raises up the fallen, and protects the stranger. The third stanza tells us to trust in God, because God helps the widow and the orphan!

5. Finally, the second reading tells us not to trust in any “God”, but to trust in the God of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself once and for all to take away our sins and who will come a second time in glory at the end of time to bring us complete and final salvation! Thus we read in the second reading:

    “Since men only die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him.” (Heb 9:27-28)              

6. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us give not only things and money to others, but also give ourselves to others; the Holy Spirit will help us rely on God and not rely on money. The Holy Spirit will help us to rely not on any “God”, but to rely on the God of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself once and for all to take away our sins and who will come a second time at the end of time to bring us complete and final salvation!             

        Amen!

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