THE LORD GIVES BREAD TO THE HUNGRY

XXXII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Mark 12:38-44

We are invited to look at two widows and learn from them this Sunday.

In the first reading, we find the prophet Elijah being ordered by God to leave the land of Israel and go to Zarephath in Sidon, where he found refuge in a widow’s home. She was destitute, having nothing more than “a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug.” (1 King 17:10-16). With so little, in a time of famine, she was preparing for death in the company of her son. However, despite her hopeless situation, at the prophet’s word, she put her trust in the Lord and accepted Elijah in her house.

In the gospel, Jesus calls our attention to the widow who offered the little she had, being left with nothing.

In both cases, the widows are extremely poor and, despite that, they offer everything they have. Putting their trust in the Lord, they do not care about tomorrow. The day of tomorrow belongs to God and he takes care of his servants.

In both of these widows, we find the beatitudes being practised in real life: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:3) In fact, the Lucan version applies even better: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Lk 6:20). Being utterly poor, they put their lives in the hands of God, accepting being touched by Him who cares for the orphan and the widow.

The responsorial psalm sang after the first reading expresses this confidence in the Lord:

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,

  who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

  the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

  who raises up those who are bowed down.

It is the Lord who loves the just,

  the Lord, who protects the stranger.

The Lord upholds the widow and orphan

  but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

  Zion’s God, from age to age. (Ps 146)