November 08, 2015
Gospel: Mk 12:38-44
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 (1) the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury (2) 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 (3) wealth, but she, from her poverty, has
contributed all she had, her whole livelihood (4)."
The difficult words
(1) Devour means to eat
something up completely.
(2)
The treasury is where people
would put their offering of money to help take care of the temple.
(3)
Surplus means extra
money.
(4) A livelihood is all the
money someone has to live on.
This week’s spotlight
Pray for one another
At the beginning of the Mass, in the "I confess
to almighty God,” we recognize that we have sinned, and we ask the Blessed
Virgin and all the angels and saints to pray to God for us. We also ask our brother
and sister Christians to do the same. Because our sins hurt the entire Church,
we ask our fellow Christians in heaven and on earth to pray for us to
experience God's forgiveness and to be united in his love.
What happens to the money after the collection?
Every Sunday a collection is taken at the offertory.
Sometimes the priest even talks about various financial needs. The money is
often placed near the altar because it represents the gift of ourselves to God.
Later, it is counted and set aside for many things: to pay for the parish staff
and operation, to maintain the buildings, to fund certain ministries, and to
help the poor.
Reflection
A generous heart
Today, Jesus teaches us to watch and to admire.
Jesus is at the temple, the place where the Jewish
people went to pray to God. He is observing the people who are depositing money
into the collection box for the upkeep of this sacred building. There are many
rich people who give lots of money. But Jesus notices a poor widow who offers
two small coins. He points her out as an example to his disciples. He says
that, she has given more than everyone else. The disciples are very surprised,
because they know that two small coins are hardly worth anything. Yes, says
Jesus, but these small coins were all that the widow had to live on. Jesus is
not impressed by false generosity. He sees right to the bottom of our hearts.
He saw all the love that the woman had in her heart. So, when you are
disappointed because something good you do goes unnoticed, don’t worry. God
knows what you have done, and he loves everything that you offer to him. Dare
to trust in him!
Discussion questions
1. What does Jesus notice about the people putting money into the
collection box?
2. What does Jesus say about the poor widow?
3. What does Jesus want to teach us with the Gospel today?
4. How about you? Will you give Jesus your all?
4. How about you? Will you give Jesus your all?
Praying after Communion
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through
Jesus, in communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my
heart. You give us your
divine life in this communion with the body and blood of your Son. Help me to
be like the widow in the Gospel, and to give you all that I am.
Crossword Puzzle
