Daily Readings - Sun Nov 11 2018
1 Kings
10So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"11As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."12"As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread-only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it-and die."13Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.14For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'"15She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.16For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
Hebrews
24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Mark
38As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces,39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on trust, faith, and the true measure of generosity. The first reading from 1 Kings presents Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, a story of profound trust in God's providence. Despite her poverty, the widow, with only a handful of flour and a little oil, trusts Elijah's words and shares what little she has. Her faith is rewarded as God provides abundantly, ensuring her flour and oil never run out. This story reminds us that trust in God, even in times of scarcity, can lead to unexpected abundance.
The second reading from Hebrews shifts our focus to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered himself once for all sins. This passage emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, highlighting that His offering was not repetitive but once for all. It underscores the depth of God's love and the completeness of Christ's work on our behalf. This theological truth invites us to reflect on the trust we place in Christ's sacrifice and how it shapes our understanding of God's plan.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus' critique of the scribes and His praise for the poor widow who gave her last coins. Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of those who exploit the vulnerable while appearing righteous. In contrast, the widow's humble and selfless offering, despite her poverty, is commended as a true expression of faith. This passage challenges us to examine our own giving and living, reminding us that true generosity comes from the heart, not from abundance.
These readings weave together themes of trust, faith, and selfless giving. Elijah and the widow of Zarephath teach us to trust God even in hardship, while Christ's sacrifice shows us the ultimate trust in God's plan. The widow in Mark exemplifies giving from the heart, regardless of circumstances. As we reflect on these readings, let us cultivate a deeper trust in God's providence, embrace the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, and live with hearts open to generous and selfless giving. May our faith be strengthened as we learn to trust and give in ways that honor God.