32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) - 10th November 2024

Readings

• First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:7-10
  • Response: "My soul, give praise to the Lord."
• Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
• Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16

Summary:A story of generosity, acknowledged by God. The widow shares food with the prophet Elijah, even though she has so little for herself and her son. In return, Elijah brings God’s help to the woman: they will not run out of food, even though it is a time of famine.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:7-10

Response: "My soul, give praise to the Lord."Summary:This psalm remembers the goodness of God (God’s faithfulness, God’s care for those in need) and responds with praise. God’s faithfulness and God’s care for those in need are signs that God is at the centre of our lives.

Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

Summary:Jesus Christ is unique. Through what he does (through how he offers himself), he has utterly changed our lives and given us the hope of heaven and the promise of eternal life.

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

Liturgical Title: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Text (Mark 12:38-44):

In the course of his teaching, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Brief Overview

Jesus pointed at those in his day who had power and who used that power to serve themselves. In contrast, the powerless widow with her minuscule donation is total in her service of God. This Gospel calls us to examine our own motivations in giving and serving, urging us to give not for show but from the heart.

Historical Background

Widows in first-century Israel were among the most vulnerable in society, often lacking financial support and social standing. Their dependence on charity and community made them particularly susceptible to exploitation. By condemning the hypocrisy of religious leaders who took advantage of the weak while seeking honour, Jesus highlights the radical difference between authentic faith and empty piety. The widow’s act of giving, despite her need, represents a bold statement of trust in God’s provision.

Contextual Reflections

Jesus criticises the scribes: they act for show; they want recognition. The widow, by contract, acts privately, in the kind of small way that God sees. Her way in in keeping with God’s way. She knows the truth of life: that we all depend on God (whether we admit it or not, whether we know it or not). She acts accordingly. Jesus makes her an example to us.

Connecting the Gospel to Today's Cultural Context

Is worth the same as wealth? Is status the same as virtue? Does acting to gain the recognition and admiration of others make us good people? Of course not. But in today’s world, you might not be sure. The widow did not go on social media to advertise herself. She was content in knowing within herself that she was showing the best love she could. She offered the little she had to God for God to use.

The widow’s story encourages us to put God first, to do what we do for God, to help others for God, to let the little things we do find the worth that God gives them. When we are seeking attention for ourselves, we are pushing God out of the picture. When we measure our deeds by size, by the acclaim they get, we are neither acting for God nor for others: we are being self-centred. And we devalue others if we measure their work by the attention they get. Is life all about attention and acclaim? It’s surely a pity if it is. God doesn’t see it that way.

Themes for Meditation

• Trust in God’s Provision: Reflect on the widow’s willingness to give all she had to God, trusting that He would provide. Are there areas in your life where you are invited to trust God more deeply?
• Genuine Sacrifice: Consider what it means to give “from the heart.” How can you offer your time, talents, or resources in ways that reflect sincere love and devotion to God?
• Integrity in Faith and Action: Jesus condemns empty religious displays in favour of authentic devotion. Examine the motivations behind your acts of service and faith. Are they rooted in love and humility, or a desire for recognition?

Prayer

Lord God, grant us the heart of the widow who, in her poverty, gave all that she had. Teach us to trust You with a generous heart, offering ourselves freely and joyfully. Help us to give with love, not out of obligation or for recognition, but in humility and faith. May our lives be an offering pleasing to You, a witness of Your love to those around us. Amen.

Quotes for Reflection

• “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
• “The measure of love is to love without measure.” – St. Francis de Sales
• “For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Contemplative Action

This week, consider an act of generosity that involves giving without expectation of return or recognition. It could be helping someone in need, offering time to someone who is lonely, or donating to a cause you believe in. Let this action be a quiet expression of your faith, done solely out of love and service to God.

Further Reading: Saint of the Week

Saint Leo the Great (Feast Day: 10th November)St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, is known for his theological insights and pastoral care. He defended the unity of the Church and protected it from various heresies, most notably through his powerful teaching on the nature of Christ. His wisdom and devotion continue to inspire, especially his emphasis on Christ’s love and humility as central to the Christian life. St. Leo’s life reminds us of the importance of courage, humility, and unwavering faith in guiding and serving others.

Liturgical Calendar for the Week

• 10th November: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
• 11th November: St. Martin of Tours, Bishop (Memorial)
• 12th November: St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr (Memorial)
• 13th November: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 14th November: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 15th November: St. Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)
• 16th November: St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude, Virgin (Optional Memorials)