"Not Impressed": A Reflection on the Gospel for November 11th, 2018: Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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​Mark 12:38-44

38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."

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The first paragraph in today’s Gospel speaks to me about humility and authenticity. Our fallen nature causes us to want to impress others. As a result, there are times when our prayer life can be more of a show than an opportunity to grow in love and mercy. When we do this we shrink as a child of God and become an instrument for the enemy. Jesus severely condemns this pompous way of flailing position and/or power over the vulnerable and He calls us out of this false notion of superiority, into one of servitude and gratitude. 

He wants us to be more like the widow in today’s gospel. She recognized that all she had was a gift from God and in thanksgiving she surrendered it all back to the Lord. I would guess that it’s not all about the money, but rather a complete giving of mind, body, and soul. If we are genuinely in love with our Lord, and we have anything to offer others, it is best done in a gentle and selfless manner.  
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So, my dear sisters in Christ, let us pray that we will be given the gifts of humility and generosity so that we can model for others the authenticity of our faith, and increase in the knowledge that everything we have that is good, is Gift. A gift to be given back to our Lord in service and love of one another. Amen.

​Patricia Cosgrove

"... He calls us out of this false notion of superiority, into one of servitude and gratitude." 

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