First Reading 1 Kings 17:10-16
Through Elijah, a widow and her son are blest with enough flour and oil to supply them for a year.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 146:7,8-9 9-10
A prayer of praise to God who raises up the lowly
Second Reading Hebrews 9:24-28
Christ died once to take away sin; he will return again to bring salvation.
Gospel Reading
Mark 12:38-44 (shorter form, Mark 12:41-44)
Jesus notices a poor widow’s offering and commends her great sacrifice.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The context for today’s Gospel continues to be mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. Mark reports some of Jesus’ teaching in the Temple area in today’s reading and in the preceding verses not included in our Lectionary sequence. In the first part of today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus warn the crowds not to follow the example of the scribes in seeking honor and attention from others. It is important to recall that Mark indicates that Jesus taught these things while in the vicinity of the Temple in Jerusalem. Mark is setting the stage for Jesus’ passion.
Jesus then observes how Jewish pilgrims are making their contributions to the temple treasury. The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship in the time of Jesus. It was expected that observant Jews would make pilgrimages to the Temple to offer prayer and sacrifices. Pilgrims were also expected to make a financial contribution to the temple treasury.
As we would expect to be the case, Jesus observes that those who were rich contributed large sums to the treasury. Those with less means made smaller contributions. A similar situation exists in most of our parishes as well. Jesus calls attention, however, to a poor widow who makes the smallest of contributions—two coins of little value. Jesus upholds the poor widow’s offering for his disciples’ consideration, commending her because her small offering was an act of profound generosity, giving from her livelihood rather than her surplus.
To give from our livelihood is not only an act of generosity, it is also an act of trust in God. We can only give from our need if we trust that God will provide for us. Jesus himself demonstrates the ultimate act of generosity and trust in God as he gives his life for us on the cross.
July 4 - Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time year B
June 27 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
June 20 - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
June 13 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
June 6 - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Cycle B
May 30 - Feast of Holy Trinity
May 23 - Pentecost Sunday, Cycle B
May 17 - The Ascension of the Lord, Cycle B
May 10 - Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
May 2 - Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April 25 - Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April 18 - Third Sunday of Easter, Cycle B
April 11 - Second Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)
April 4 - Easter Sunday : Experiencing Easter Everyday
April 2 : Good Friday : By His Wounds We Have Healed.
April 1 : Holy Thursday : The Day of Love
March 28 - Passion Sunday : Marching with Jesus
March 21- Fifth Sunday in Lent Year B :
March 14 - Fourth Sunday of Lent :
March 7 - Third Sunday of Lent Year B
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