This Week in the Liturgical Year

First Reading
1 Kings 17:10-16
Through Elijah, a widow and her son are blest with enough flour and oil to supply them for a year.

Psalm
Psalm 146:7,8-9 9-10
A prayer of praise to God who raises up the lowly

Second Reading
Hebrews 9:24-28
Christ died once to take away sin; he will return again to bring salvation.

Gospel
Mark 12:38-44 (shorter form, Mark 12:41-44)
Jesus notices a poor widow's offering and commends her great sacrifice.

Background on the Gospel
The context for today's Gospel continues to be mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. Mark reports some of Jesus' teaching in the Temple area in today's reading and in the preceding verses not included in our Lectionary sequence. In the first part of today's Gospel, we hear Jesus warn the crowds not to follow the example of the scribes in seeking honor and attention from others. It is important to recall that Mark indicates that Jesus taught these things while in the vicinity of the Temple in Jerusalem. Mark is setting the stage for Jesus' passion.

Jesus then observes how Jewish pilgrims are making their contributions to the temple treasury. The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship in the time of Jesus. It was expected that observant Jews would make pilgrimages to the Temple to offer prayer and sacrifices. Pilgrims were also expected to make a financial contribution to the temple treasury.

As we would expect to be the case, Jesus observes that those who were rich contributed large sums to the treasury. Those with less means made smaller contributions. A similar situation exists in most of our parishes as well. Jesus calls attention, however, to a poor widow who makes the smallest of contributions—two coins of little value. Jesus upholds the poor widow's offering for his disciples' consideration, commending her because her small offering was an act of profound generosity, giving from her livelihood rather than her surplus.

To give from our livelihood is not only an act of generosity, it is also an act of trust in God. We can only give from our need if we trust that God will provide for us. Jesus himself demonstrates the ultimate act of generosity and trust in God as he gives his life for us on the cross.

Family Connection
Today's Gospel leads us to think about our family's financial contributions to our parish community, the diocese, other Church-sponsored organizations, and other charitable organizations. Good stewardship invites us to share our treasure as well as our time and talent. Sometimes, however, decisions about a family's charitable giving are made without our children's knowledge. Yet we teach more when we invite all family members to be aware of how we contribute to our Church and to other charitable organizations.

As you gather as a family, talk about your family's financial contributions to your parish and to other Church activities. If your family supports other charitable organizations, you might talk about these as well. Talk together about why it is important for us to share our resources with these organizations. Read today's Gospel, Mark 12:41-44. Talk about what Jesus observes about the generosity of the poor widow. Talk also about ways in which your family might also make a sacrificial gift to support your parish or other charitable organization. (Perhaps your family might choose not to go out to dinner but to contribute the money to your parish). Invite all family members to participate in the decision about what action you will take and which organization you will support with your contribution. Conclude in prayer together asking God to help your family be generous like the poor widow in today's Gospel. Pray together the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.