Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

November 11, 2018 

Readings:

First Reading: 1 Kings 17: 10-16

Psalm: 146

Second Reading: Hebrew 9: 24-28

Gospel reading according to Mark 12: 38-44 (or 12: 41-44)

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Homily:

The scribes, experts of the Law of Moses and the prophets’ teachings, as distinguished professionals who would exercise functions in the synagogues and in the Temple, though noble yet become abusive to the illiterate and the poor, especially the vulnerable widows.  Despite their knowledge and familiarity of the whole Scriptures, they did not apply them properly so that the unlearned, no read no write Jewish people may know and understand better their religion, their relationship with God and the way they should live with their neighbors.  Rather they used their knowledge of Scripture to manipulate the unlettered and unread ordinary people for their own benefits.  Jesus observed very well these attitudes of the scribes. “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 the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets’.” (Mk. 12: 38-39).  The scribes, as what Jesus taught the crowds to become aware, “Beware,” a warning, for their hypocrisy.  They loved to wear long robes as a sign of their status in the society, their learnings, of what they have and who they are, roaming around the streets so that their presence and importance might be felt and the people should greeted them so that they might feel and receive importance and highest honor.  Because of these conditions they preferred also to seat where they can easily be seen and noticed their presence especially in the synagogues and in the banquets so that they established honors.    

Jesus continued his teachings, “. . . ’They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers.  They will receive a very severe condemnation’.” (Mk. 12: 40).  Jesus saw how these scribes robbed and deprived the widows on their property rights by their false teachings. They corrupted the minds and hearts of the poor widows to get their little wealth. The scribes were the ones consuming the properties of the widows who are vulnerable and easy prey, afterwards, in their alleged reason that they needed long prayers for them.  Sometimes they used lengthy prayers as an excuse not to extend their hands in helping the needy and the poor widows and orphans but as an escape.  But, Jesus said that they will receive severe condemnation and punishment for what they were doing against the Law, of God and of their neighbors.    

To prove his accusations to the scribes, he sat down near the treasury of the Temple and observed the mannerism of the rich scribes.  Then he called his disciples. “He sat down opposite the treasury 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 wealth, but she from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood’.”     (Mk. 12: 41-44).  All the people, rich and poor alike, put their support and donations in the Temple’s treasury.  There is no limit in giving alms by the many rich, they almost pour out up, “itaktak ang laman ng kanilang bag,” to the bottom of their wallets and bags as their contributions.  But, these are just excesses of their over flowing moneys that they do not need anymore.  Still they have more moneys in their coffers, in their banks, and in their houses.  While the poor widow, she has only two small coins in her pocket, and that is all she has for a living.  Nevertheless, she gave all these two cents in the treasury box as her total support in the Temple.  Despite of her poverty, she gave all what she has for she trusts in the Lord God, the Giver of all good things.  She did not mind what she is going to eat after this generosity, of her nothingness.  She put everything in the hands of God, and she believed that God will reward her for her total surrender, generosity and kindness toward Him.  The widow is also teaching us to become generous to God and to our neighbors, without limit, and no reservation, for God is also generous to us in giving what we need.  The widow’s mite is an example of the kindness and generosity of God in us. For as “the jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth” (1 Kgs. 17: 14). We have to trust in God all the days of our life.