Gospel for November 10 2024 – Mark 12:38-44
Gospel Reflections for November 10 2024
What Jesus sees…
There is a large crowd in the Temple area in today’s Gospel, but Jesus sees just one person.
Many people are putting their donations for the poor into huge brass jars, that ring loudly for all to hear when a large coin drops in …just as they wanted. The coin the woman puts in is so small it makes no sound at all …but Jesus notices.
If you saw the woman’s donation, you would know …she accomplished nothing for the poor! What she gave, which was all that she had, was so small that it could not have helped anyone at all. However, Jesus notices not what she gave, but how she gave, and tells everyone how impressed He is at her deep personal commitment. The woman made a profound gift of her entire self. What kind of person does that?
Jesus sees the nature of her generous heart. While others gave much larger gifts that attracted attention, Jesus also noticed their insincere hearts. They only gave in order to be seen as generous, while the woman gave to express her genuine love.
She must have thought deeply about her gift and prayed about it for some time. Her decision was a well-considered and thoughtful one, with both careful reflection and intense emotions of love and compassion. Her decision became more powerful and effective than all the other gifts precisely because it was so authentic and genuine.
This is a time of political change with a new administration and economic policies involving trillions of dollars. (Just to count to one trillion would take over 30,000 years!) I do not know if they are the right policies or not, but these huge amounts can make your own efforts seem so small. Who would notice?
Jesus always notices any effort you make that is made with love.
Monday of next week is Veterans Day. Like the widow in the Gospel, they each gave much of their life so that your life would survive and prosper. Each veteran chose to place their life on the line. We will notice them on November 11th.
The Gospel widow reminds you that you cannot offer nothing. Therefore, make every generous donation large or small, every kind word, every thoughtful gesture, every prayer, your personal gift of genuine love.
Our Lord will surely notice.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
What a gift you have given us with this reflection. Thank you Father.
You are very welcome!
I like your thoughts on these Gospel Readings very Much. You explain just what should be explained so that we can emulate that which Jesus is teaching us.
His life was dedicated to his Fathers Will and Desire. Hunillity , Honesty, Love and Prayer were more valuable than other treasures of Material substance.
Helping us to realize what a treasure we possess in our Catholic Faith Los a great task to undertake.
Thanks for your splendid Vocation Father Dave.✝️
You are very welcome!
I like your Reflection about the right way of giving, Fr. Dave, and how
the Lord sees a sincere heart. It is somethin to think about, especially as the
season of Christmas giving will soon be coming up.
Yes, a perfect lesson for Christmas too!
Love your beautiful reflection!! There are many ways to give and we must reach out to give in love, A kind word, listening to someone who has experienced sadness, a smile, a hug of comfort,a phone call to a precious Friend, letting your family know you loveeeeeeeeeee them,thanking our loving God, our precious Jesus, our beautiful Blessed Mother for giving us our precious Faith , giving to needed charities and our churches! Living a life of love as you do Father Dave!!!!! You are a gift of love from our loving God to us!!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
You crushed it Father Dave – about four different ways. Well done!!!
Thank you for your kind words!
Dear Father Dave,
This is one of those Gospel stories that resonated with me when I was a child.
Interesting.
Thank you for your reflection!
God bless….
Kathleen
Yes, the Gospels have lessons for every age!