32nd Sunday of the Year (B)

First reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146
Second reading: Hebrew 9:24-28
Gospel reading: Mark 12:38-44

"She gave from her want, all that she had to live on."

Last October 25, we reflected on the last passage of chapter 10
in the gospel of Mark for Year B. For November 8, we now move on
to the 12th chapter of Mark. In this passage, we will find the
story of Jesus taking the opportunity to teach a lesson on purity
of intention and generosity. As He sat opposite the treasure of
the synagogue, He observed the wealthy putting in sizable amounts
in the collection box. Then He spotted one poor widow who came in
and put in two small copper coins worth about a cent. Jesus lauded
the action of the poor widow, for compared to those who gave out
of their surplus, this widow gave all that she had to live on.

Harrington, in his book "Mark", says that the mention of two
coins is important for the readers of Mark's gospel. If we were
to analyze more thoroughly the situation of the poor widow, then
we would naturally think that since the widow had two copper
coins (which bible scholars say is called "lepton" - the smallest
common coinage in circulation at the time), she would probably
have kept one for herself. But contrary to what is commonly
expected, the widow instead considered more her state of life in
relation to God. She had let go of every shred of material
security she had and committed herself totally to the Lord. What
a great example of Christian life and discipleship Jesus expects
of us to have in its perfection.

Early in life, many of us who turned to Christ as the Lord and
center of our life, may probably have said, "oh yes, I'm ready to
give all for Jesus". But in reality, we had realized that this is
easier said, than actually lived out in perseverance and patient
endurance. For in the course of life, there will really be times
when we experience a state of poverty or great loss - that we
could not hang on to anything else except to our faith in God.
And this does not happen only to whom God wishes to chastise and
discipline. It can happen to anyone - even to good people. Like
the story of Job, God can test our faith in Him that we may be
purified of attachments to things that are not according to His
will. This gospel on the poor widow gives us an opportunity to
examine our life. Was there ever a time in my life that I felt
like the poor widow in the gospel? Did that state of poverty
lead me to trust in God alone, or did I cling to the little that
I had? What wisdom did I gain from that experience?