November 10th, 2024

Thirty - second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16, Psalm 146 “Praise the Lord, my soul!”, Hebrew 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44
 
                                                THE POOR WIDOW
 
     Today we speak a lot about solidarity; it is an article that will sell. It is preached in homilies, it is the theme of Lent, and a convincing argument the stars use to entice the multitudes: Charitable Concerts, Campaigns against the Hunger in our world. Yet, is there one that will take the bread from his mouth to feed the hungry? Even the widow from the Gospel understood this, how one must love in times of hunger: she gave her all and thus, she remains without eating. God is not the Lord of "quantities", but of qualities. He knows how to multiply the two coins and how to make sure that "the pot of flour and the flask of oil are never empty".
 
Sisters and brothers:
 
1. To be a widow is a symbol of solitude and of emptiness. Elías went to a widow and with her - a miracle was produced. Elías asked her for something to eat and she gave him everything that she had without reserving anything for herself. So God became an excellent provider for her, to see that she never lacked food for nourishment. All the power of God - in the service of a poor, weak, abandoned and ignored woman!
 
The other woman is also poor and insignificant. We don't know her name. She was also a widow and she went to the temple. Her two small coins clinked with a special sound. Here we have two histories with a very clear lesson: To be sure that the heart of God is touched, one does not have to be important, nor know a lot, nor be educated, nor be prestigious with resplendent clothing. It only matters that we give what we have, and believe in His promises without holding back anything.
 
2. The greatness of the humble little lady of the town contrasts with the misery of the Pharisees that criticize her. When she silently deposits her coins, she is praying and loving. Her material contribution is insignificant, yet her gift is total. Jesus admired this gesture and he praised her, because he does not measure our human acts with our scale. We generally remain at the level of appearances, but the Lord searches the heart. The one that gives of his/her excess, does not give life. The one that gives from their own sustenance, of what that person needs to live, then that person gives something of their life; they give of their utmost for others.
 
3. "One gives a lot when he gives his all, even though that all - may be just a little bit". One gives a lot when one loves a lot. Christian charity is authentic when it is practiced in accordance with God's values, and as consequence, life then acquires a marvelous fruitfulness. "There is more happiness in giving, than in receiving". We are beginning to forget what compassion is. It is to be able "to suffer with" the needy and radiate compassion with another one's suffering. We look at people from the surface, as if they were objects, without being able to approach their pain. When one is already sufficiently satisfied with their small world of well-being and comfort, it is difficult to understand the suffering of others.
 
Brothers and sisters: The example of the widow that gave everything that she had, should stimulate our generosity. However, it should be done simply and discreetly. When we begin to think beyond material goods, we will find in numerous situations where our Christian charity can become a reality.
 
Source: ePriest.com / Best Practices and Homily Resources for Catholic Priests