Fr. Rick’s Three-Minute Homily for the 32nd Sunday of the Year B

November 10, 2024, Mark 12:38-44

https://bible.sccb.org/bible/readings/111024.com

Two Small Coins – The Best Gift of All

The woman’s two small coins touched Jesus’ heart so much because she was joining him and saying,

“Lord God, for all my sins, I do not even deserve this much. You take it and use it for someone’s good.”

It’s easy to contrast the scribes and Pharisees with the poor widow in today’s gospel.

Jesus mentions how they gave from their surplus while she gave from her want, with no regard to how she would eat the rest of the day or tomorrow.

Both gave in the temple area, representing the presence of God, while only one took to heart that they were in the presence of the Lord.

Did you ever notice how differently we behave in Church before the Blessed Sacrament than we do outside of Church?

The Pharisees didn’t recognize the Lord’s presence in the Temple or the poor widow.

Also, the scribes and Pharisees had no needs compared to the poor widow.

Widows who lost their husbands in death had no means of support and easily fell through the cracks of society.

They were at the mercy of other people for the basics of life, food, and shelter.

We admire her for giving her entire livelihood to those poorer than herself.

Jesus saw himself in this woman, as he knew the day was coming when he would give his entire livelihood for the conversion of sinners.

The woman’s two small coins touched Jesus’ heart so much because he saw her joining him on the Cross and saying, literally,

“Lord God, I do not even deserve this much. You take it and use it for someone’s good.”

There is no value one can put on a sacrificial gift of love.

Some people make this a way of life. Sean Reynolds, an intern at True Quest Communications, tells this story.

When I took classes for RCIA, there was another candidate, Mabel, a woman in her late 30s, who could never make it to class on time, sometimes arriving only for the final prayers.

When she did arrive, she was unprepared and appeared flustered when Father Pershing asked her about assignments.

But always when she first came in, she looked relieved, as though there was no room she would rather walk into.

Like most of the group, I was annoyed—both at the interruption and at the prospect that she would become Catholic with so much less work than the rest of us.

Father Pershing, too, appeared frustrated, sighing when she asked questions.

One night after the final prayer, she approached Father Pershing; though she spoke quietly, I overheard.

She apologized profusely for being late and told him she could not find a sitter for her two sons, one of whom had Down’s syndrome.

No, her husband could not watch them either, as he had passed away two years earlier.

Father Pershing vowed that he would make any arrangements he could so that she could get the proper preparation to become a Catholic. “

Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.”

I stood two feet tall, realizing this woman had given much more to the group than I ever had.

Love Your Neighbor!

Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com