Posted on November 8, 2024 View all Gospel Reflection
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
This Sunday we have a little bit of a summary of the various themes I have touched on these past couple of weeks. First, in the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews we see St. Paul reinforce with direct words that Jesus Christ is the new high priest that has taken away sin by his sacrifice and that he does not have to suffer repeatedly. Rather the one sacrifice on the Cross, the one sacrifice at the altar and the one resurrection is what has enabled us through the ministry of the priest acting in the person of Christ to receive salvation.
In the Gospel we see the example of the poor widow versus the many rich people who were giving money into the temple treasury. While I spoke about how Jesus highlighted how she gave from her whole poverty, her whole livelihood; the others contributed from their surplus wealth. He said to his disciples how she gave more than all the other contributors to the treasury. But what caught my attention this week in this account is the opening paragraph. Jesus warns about being like the scribes who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in marketplaces and seats of honor in synagogues and banquets. He says how they devour the houses of widows and recite lengthy prayers. The criticism is not merely because they are dressed, honored and say these prayers. It is rather because they do so only in a superficial manner and not from the heart. They say these prayers so that they can be seen to be more holy, rather than to actually pray from the heart for the poor widows and others in need.
This week the Gospel invites us to reflect on our priorities and our trust in God. This points back to the first reading where we see Elijah who traveled to Zarephath and encountered the widow who was gathering sticks. Due to the extensive drought and famine, she had nothing more to eat. She said to Elijah: “Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” (1 Kings 17:12) But when Elijah insists and tells her “Do not be afraid”, his words are foreshadowing those of Jesus Christ who tells his disciples and in turn each of us “do not be afraid” (Mat. 14:26; John 14:27). This confidence in the Lord is what will bring us to the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is not our worldly accomplishments or our wealth or our prestige that will gain us entry into heaven. It is rather how fully we trust in the Lord and follow Him wherever he shall lead us. Elijah trusted God, the poor widow trusted Elijah and the widow in the temple trusted in her Lord that by surrendering and entrusting their lives to the Lord, he would provide for them everlasting life. In our own lives we face many such challenges. Be they financial, personal, or health-related, we are invited to turn these deep and vital needs over to the Lord. For while the widow, her son, and Elijah were able to eat for a year, if we turn our hearts and our lives over to the Lord Jesus Christ, we will have food for eternal life.
