32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B (2024) – Homily
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 (1b)
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
November 10, 2024
Jesus continues to use opportunities that arise naturally to teach. Today He tells the crowds to “Beware of the scribes.” The scribes should be examples of how to live faithful lives. Many were but some weren’t good examples.
Today Jesus is speaking about those scribes who are prideful. They liked to “go around in long robes and accept greetings in marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.”
The problem with this lies in one word, honor. They sought these things for the honor it gave them. (This doesn’t mean all the scribes had the same motive.)
Today, as the priest, I wear a long robe for Mass. However, I do not wear them for the honor. I do not seek special status. I wear a long robe, called a chasuble, because it signifies the role I fulfill.
I have a special seat near the altar but I take this seat not seeking honor or status. I sit there to be near the ambo and the altar for functional reasons.
As to places of honor at banquets, I would just assume sit at a regular seat. I sit “up front” only if I have prayers to do that make it more convenient.
The “bad” scribes recited “lengthy prayers” to make themselves look good. I desire to say prayers based on their content, not for any status for myself.
It’s not just the scribes or priests who might do things for honor. Jesus observes those putting money into the treasury. Some of the rich people liked others to see how much money they put in because it made them feel important.
Jesus doesn’t use the amounts the rich people put it as examples of giving. He points to what the poor widow gave even though it was just “two small coins worth a few cents.”
Why? Because the rich people gave from their surplus while she gave “from her poverty…her whole livelihood.”
What motivates your giving?
Is it a generous heart or do you give so others see you as important?
Or is your giving based on faith? Is it based on trust in the Lord who “raises up those who were bowed down”?
Turning to the story of Elijah, God had sent a drought up the people because of their lack of faith. Elijah was a faithful prophet. So, during the drought, God sent Elijah to Zarephath. There he encountered a widow.
Elijah asked the widow, “Please bring a small cupful of water to drink.” She immediately “left to get it.” It might seem like a simple request but remember, he is asking for water during a drought. She must have a generous heart.
Then, Elijah adds, “Please bring me along a bit of bread.”
The widow now speaks of how little she has. She has “nothing baked…only a handful of flour, and a little oil.” She has nothing more. So, once that is gone, she expects to die during the drought.
Elijah does not withdraw his request. He tells her not to be afraid but he tells us to “first make me a cake.” He then assures her that “the LORD, the God of Israel” will provide for her.
One might simply see her as a faithful Jew who trusts in her Lord. However, she is not a Jew. Zarephath is Gentile land. She shows more faith than many of the Jews. She trusts that the Lord will give “food to the hungry” even though the Jews might treat her as a stranger since she is not one of them.
All of this should lead us to think not just about what we do but why we do it?
Are you generous so others give you honor? If so, what you receive is mere earthly honor but you will not receive an eternal reward.
Or do you give from your heart? Do you give trusting in Jesus?
I’m not saying you should give everything you have. My hope is for you to pray about what God is calling you to give.
If you give money generously to make yourself look good, the answer is not to give less. The answer is to ask God to conform your heart to his.
And giving is not just a matter of money. Do you give of your time to serve God? When asked to volunteer, many say they are too busy. That may be true. What makes you so busy? Is what makes you busy more important to you than God? What activities that make you busy are you willing to give up for God?
My heart turns to those who would like to give of their time but can’t. I think of those who are advanced in age or suffer in poor health. They have time to give but do not have the energy to make use of their time in the way they desire to serve God.
If you are one of them, God knows the desire of your heart to give and your good desire does not go unnoticed. You may not be able to give of your time. Now is a time for you to receive the grace of God that you need.
The widows in these readings held nothing back. When Jesus was arrested, He held nothing back. He laid his life down for you on the Cross. He did this because He loves you.
What He asks in return is your love.