Greetings on this the Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20; Tobit 13:2, 6efgh, 7, 8; Mk 12:38-44
Notes: I hope the reading sequence this week was as uplifting for you as it was for me.
The lovely story of Tobit, his wife and Son and Daughter-in-law is really a wonderful story filled with reason to trust G-d and one another.
The works of God are to be declared and made known.
Write down all these things that have happened to you.
Some call it attitude of gratitude.
I am grateful for the work of the Lord and for you!
Every time you do a good deed with good intention the Lord is praised for you are made by him and this instinct is from him.
Our challenge? To be like the poor widow.
Not simply from surplus should we give but from the heart and the poverty of ourselves, our whole livelihood.
Next Week’s Liturgy builds on the theme – From the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The continuous readings are exhortations to be and do well. It is not presented as a list of things to do but as an alignment of heart and of the courage to want to do well by recognizing the presence and power of G-d to help us along the path.
Because, to state it again: Our challenge? To be like the poor widow.
Not simply from surplus should we give but from the heart and the poverty of ourselves, our whole livelihood. Rearranging (ordering) our lives to holiness is the point. That may be the widows two small coins and it may be the two small prayers you give for every co-worker.
First Reading
- Son, see to it that you give what is due to the man who made the journey with you; give him a bonus too.
- Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.
- Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness.
Responsorial
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of ages.
Gospel Acclamation
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Gospel
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.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry