THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME NOVEMBER 7, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mk 12:38-44

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 synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." 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."

REFLECTION

..."from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

St Therese of Lisieux, in her autobiography The Story of a Soul, saw Jesus as her closest friend and most loving Father. She was the youngest Doctor of the Church and in her brief life she was able to show us the great depths of God's mercy.

She entrusted her soul to the mercy of God and in her poverty, pleased Him in all she did. She said, " As soon as you try to please Him in everything and have an unshakeable trust, He purifies you every moment in His love and He lets no sin remain."

None of the gifts God has given us are ours. None of the goods of earth and even those of Heaven are ours and they can be taken away by God as they have been lent to us by God.

The widow knew this, if not able to articulate it, but in her actions. She gave all she had back to God, because it belonged to Him.

Nothing we have is ours, its on loan. If we don't share with others that which God has given us, we will be depriving one of His children of His goodness.

God Bless You.