Thirty-Second week of Ordinary Time, November 10, 2024

Reflection on the WORD

“Poor Widow’s Faith”: In today’s Gospel Jesus was deeply touched by the poor widow’s great generosity of putting in her two coins. Jesus praised her and said, “she put in everything she possessed”; while others put in “excess money” they had.” Ponder on, “We love God, but do we love our material wealth more than God’s people, who are poor and are suffering”?

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. 

A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’

Today's Pointers on God's Word

As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

  • Today’s Gospel challenges us, like the widow, to give all that we have and hold back nothing for ourselves. 
  • Tithes were ways of supporting the upkeep of the Church and the sharing of what we possess with   the poor and needy. The widow fulfilled her responsibilities seriously and fully.
  • How many of us compromise in our “giving”? In doing so, we forget that in giving we are divinely “rewarded” more than we can ever give.  The widow truly found full favour with God in her total giving. How is God challenging you today?