32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

1Kings 17:10-6
Psalm 145:7-10
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44

A DARING GENEROSITY

Do not be afraid to give, for generosity pays. This is the main message of today’s readings. The first reading recounts the daring act of generosity of the widow of Zarephath. She used the last provisions she had to feed the prophet Elijah at the time of the drought. And her jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, in accordance with the word of the prophet (1Kgs 17:10-6). Thus, those who trust God are never disappointed.

According to the second reading, Jesus made a total offering of himself to God out of love for us as a sacrifice of expiation, taking on himself the faults of many (Heb. 9:24-28). In the gospel, after teaching, Jesus sat opposite the treasury and was observing the people contributing into the treasury. Then came a widow who put in all that she had to live on, two small coins. The inner attitude that accompanied her offerring was so great that Jesus commended her to his disciples (Mark 12:38-44).

What is common to the two widows of today’s readings is their discretion and daring generosity. They took a risk which translates their trust in God's providence. They were poor in material possessions, but rich in generosity. What we can learn from these two widows is that none of us is too poor that he has nothing to give; and that none of our “little offerring” is insignificant before God. Every act of generosity will not go unrewarded.

What matters is not so much what we give but how we give. If we wait to have much before giving, we will never give, for we will never have much. Though it is a terrifying and painful experience to give out of the little, it is in this risky act of giving out of the little that we experience God’s closeness to us. Let us learn to share the little we have with others and give generously.
May God bless you!

SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Leviticus 13:1-2.44-46
Psalm 31:1-5.11
1Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Mark 1:40-45

LET ME BE PART OF "US"

Man is essentially a social being. His fulfillment lies in togetherness, living with and for others. It can be therefore painful when we feel rejected, neglected or abandoned. Thus, the healing of the leper in today’s gospel is much revealing.

Leprosy has always been a terrible illness, especially in ancient times. It was highly contagious and incurable. In this way, the only means of prevention was to isolate the leper from society. Hence, the first reading provides that the leper must live apart, outside the camp. He must also avoid any contact with others (Lev. 13:1-2.44-46).

In this situation, the leper suffered a double affliction: the physical suffering inflicted by the sickness and the psychological pain of being separated from his own people. He could not even participate in the worship of his community. He became an outcast.

But in the gospel, a moving story is told. The leper dared defy the laws that condemned him to exclusion and isolation. He came to Jesus and pleaded to be cured. In his turn, Jesus broke the norms of purity that prohibited him to approach, let alone touch, a leper. He stretched out his hand, touched the leper and healed him (Mark 1:40-45). These daring actions of both the leper and Jesus restored the leper to good health and reintegrated him to his community. 

In our society today, many are those living at the margin of society. They have been excluded from the mass, separated from their own, rejected. For instance, the elderly, the sick, prisoners, victims of HIV/AIDS, migrants, strangers, alcoholics, etc, have been excluded from society. Can we be the face of Jesus to these people?

St Paul invites us to imitate him just as he himself imitates Christ. We are called, especially on this day which is the International Day for the Sick, to perform actions even audacious so as to break any norm that excludes man from his fellow men. By so doing, we will give glory to God. May Mary, our Lady of Lourdes intercede for all the sick.

Amen

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Job 7,1-4. 6-7
Psalm 146,1-6
1Corinthians 9,16-19. 22-23
Mark 1, 29-39

ENCOUNTERING JESUS THE HEALER

Sometimes, life can seem meaningless, absurd and pure drudgery, especially when we are faced with the reality of suffering and evil. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” says: “Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations and his finitude… Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God” (1500 -1501).

Today’s readings present us with people who were confronted with sickness. Faced with undeserved suffering, Job wondered at the absurdity and boringness of human life. And yet, at the end, he turns to God in prayer (Job 7,1-4.6-7). The Responsorial psalm is a song to God, he who “heals the broken-hearted and binds up all their wounds” (Ps. 146,1-6).

In the gospel, Simon’s mother-in-law and the many people who were sick and possessed by devils encountered Jesus and received healing and deliverance (Mark 1, 29-39). When we meet Jesus, he gives a new meaning to our life conditions. He is not only our healer par excellence, but also shares our sufferings. He is touched by our sufferings, miseries, cries and anguish. 

This healing and restoring power of Jesus indeed has transformed our lives, making us whole so as to be at the service of all. Thus, St Paul considers it a duty to preach Christ in order to free others. He makes himself the slave of everyone, offering to all the Good News of Jesus without asking for anything in return (1Cor. 9,16-19. 22-23).

In any situation, let us remember that it is only Jesus who can give wholeness and meaning to our life. May he heal us, bless us and keep all of us under his transforming power.

Amen