Daily Scripture Readings

 Monday, November  9 - November 14

Sunday Gospel and Question of the Week

The Word in Liturgy and Catholic Doctrine

 

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November 8, 2009  ~ Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time

Gospel ~ Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."

 Question of the Week
The Question of the Week provides a simple way to reflect on the scripture readings we hear at Sunday Mass.  Several publishers of Catholic books have prepared questions based on weekly readings and generously give permission for the questions to be used in parishes.  The Question of the Week prompts us to hear the Word of God proclaimed at Mass in a new way, not only with our ears, but with also with our mind and heart.  God's word to us in Scripture is a great gift.  Question of the Week  helps us open this gift of God's Word.  

QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

FOR ADULTS: 
What inspires you to be generous?

FOR CHILDREN: 
When was I surprised at how good someone was to me? How did that help me to be good to others?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION 
In this reading we have the story of another widow who gave generously. Many rich people gave far more; she gave only two small copper coins not worth very much. But Jesus was moved by what she did and praised her to his disciples. She gave all that she had to live on.
God loves generosity. Nothing is more moving to the heart of Jesus than our willingness to give of ourselves to help others.

DISCUSSION POINTS FOR THE GOSPEL
This story has had an impact upon our Catholic life, even in its vocabulary. At one time, boxes used for Lenten offerings at home were called "mite boxes" to remind us of the small but generous gift of this widow who gave her last mite.
Why do we admire people who "give their all"? What does "giving my all" mean to me in my life? Do I give my all to my family? to my studies? to sports? What does it mean to "give my all" to God?

The Word in Liturgy

Mark sets today’s gospel pericope in the context of Jesus’ teaching in the Temple. Of the nineteen references to scribes in Mark’s gospel, this is the only one in which a scribe is cast in a positive light. Consistent with a healthy desire to keep his religious tradition faithful to its roots, the scribe asks Jesus about the greatest of the commandments. Jesus links the Shema with the command to love one’s neighbor, which is found in Leviticus 19:18. In so doing, Jesus is not taking an entirely original step. Other rabbis before him had done this. The agreement that is evident between the scribe and Jesus on this point is clear evidence that Jesus’ response is consistent with Jewish thought of his day. Popular notions that cast Judaism in a negative light in this regard should take heed of the deeply spiritual sensitivity that lies at the core of the Old Testament tradition and that is revealed in this exchange.

Catholic Doctrine
Command to Love God and Neighbor

The injunction to love God and to love our neighbor identifies concisely the norm of life for followers of Jesus. Scripture is clear. First, we must love God. Only then does that love come to bear fruit in human loving. On the other hand, the believer cannot claim to love God without manifesting it in human relations.
In the New Testament, the covenant love of God is seen as embodied and fulfilled in the life, teaching, and saving action of Jesus Christ. His self-sacrifice on our behalf, the paschal mystery, is understood as unlocking for us the font of grace from which we are born again as brothers and sisters of one another and witnesses to the world of the great love of God.

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Reflection and Questions are adapted and reprinted with permission from Harcourt Religion Publishers, 
www.Harcourtreligion.com , RCL-Benziger: www.rclweb.com and 
http://www.blestarewe.com/misc/terms.html ,and William F. Sadlier:  www.webelieveweb.com   Visit these web sites for additional information and formation resources for adults and children.

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Scripture references for the week 

Click on underlined day/date to see the readings for the day.  Right click back to return to this page.

Monday November  9 ~  Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Tuesday
November    10 ~ Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church 

Wednesday November    11 ~ Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

Thursday November
  12 ~ Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr 

Friday November  13 ~ Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin  

Saturday November 14   

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