November 7th - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
(I Kgs 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44)
A widow in Jesus’ time would have been considered an outcast in society. With no man to own property, home, or earn an income, she would struggle to survive. In a profound act of faith, the widow gave the Prophet of God the remainder of her food. The widow gave the whole of the little she had in contrast to most of us, who give little despite our abundance. The miracle of the multiplication of the widow’s bread is a type or foreshadowing of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes by Jesus. Our psalm reminds us “the Lord raises up those who were bowed down.” Hebrews reinterprets Jesus’ humiliating execution on the cross as a “sacrifice,” a ritual in which Jesus is both the sacrificial victim and the high priest who offers it. At every Mass, we experience Christ as Alpha and Omega, beginning and end: we are given a foretaste of eternal life, which is truly awe-inspiring. Mark shares Jesus’ story where he uses the contrast between the behavior of the scribes and the action of a poor widow to teach us about the spiritual life. The widow is meant to teach us about humility and trust in the Lord, Jesus extols these virtues. Our most pleasing sacrifice to God is a humble heart that trusts God enough to give him everything.