Ord.Wk 9th: Saturday 10th June, 2023 June 10, 2023

Reflection on the WORD

Authentic Living: In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions the crowd to beware of the scribes, who look for honour and glory from people, but are corrupt and deceptive.  However, ponder on: Genuine honour is to have a generosity that shares sincerely, selflessly and unconditionally; with dignity and for the good of others, especially the poor and needy.

9 Days Novena Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus from Thursday 8th June to Friday 16th June 2023. Go to www.jesuit.org.sg/2023-sacred-heart

Day 3 – Saturday 10th June 2023 : Listening Heart

Mark 12:38-44

In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted respectfully in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who devour the property of widows and for show offer long prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’ 

He 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, ‘In truth I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty 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?

  • The poor widow chose to love God by giving all she had; a selfless love towards God instead of only receiving God’s selfless love for us.
  • She could have chosen to keep some of her possessions for her own security. No one would find fault with her for doing so.
  • How would we choose to love God? Would we choose the widow’s selfless way; a way that was done in secret and in the silence of her heart; a way that brought her deep peace or would we trumpet our love for God and make a big fuss about it?