Monday,
November 9 - November 14
Sunday Gospel and Question of the Week
The Word in Liturgy and Catholic Doctrine
Return to St. Theresa Homepage
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.
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.
Return to St. Theresa Homepage
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
top
of page
Return to St. Theresa Homepage