HOMILY FOR THE 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146:7.8-10. R/ v.1b; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44.

“GIVE BY FAITH NOT BY FORCE”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Reflecting on the theme of “giving” that runs through our today’s readings, one is tempted to pause and re-examine oneself on how generous one has been with one’s resources – both material and otherwise. When we give, most times do we give to impress or to secure future reciprocation? Our act of giving becomes artificial, political, and mechanical. This begs the question do we Catholics believe in the theology of giving; do we give by faith or by force?

·      Today our readings speak to us about the poor, those who have nothing – and yet who are more generous with God and others than the people who have money and learning and other riches.  We are invited to be like the poor in our way of living.

·      The first reading (1 Kings 17:10-16) speaks of a poor widow who had nothing left to live on her and no money to purchase food.  She was completely without resources and so was preparing the last meal for herself and her son.  Yet, when Elijah the Prophet asks her for food, she agreed to bake something for him first, and then for herself and her son.  For sure, Elijah prophesied that things would be better for her, but not many people would believe enough to give away part of the small amount of food that they have.  Blessed is this widow who believed and shared her poverty with another.

·      In the second reading (Hebrews 9:24-28), we are invited to see Jesus Christ as the one who came to take away our sins and to bring us salvation.  This invitation is only accepted by those who choose to have faith.  We know that the lives of those who choose faith do not change materially but only in the capacity to view all of life from the point of view of faith.  Not many can accept this.  Daily more and more people fall away from the faith, even though others are still coming to faith.  For many people today, the only faith is in the material world.

·      The Gospel (Mark 12:38-44), is the story of another poor widow.  She gives all that she has in the temple.  We do not know much about her, except the words of Jesus, praising her action.  For sure her friends would have told her that she was foolish and if she has relatives, they might even have scolded her.  Jesus praises her generosity and her trust in God.

·      Faith is a gift, but also a choice.  As a gift, faith is offered to all, even though not all recognize the offer.  Sometimes, even though the offer is explicit and clear, the person cannot understand it, recognize it, and respond to it.  So, we must never judge another person’s faith.  Instead, we are responsible for our own faith.

·      Faith is our challenge today.  Are we ready to trust the Lord, even if we have nothing?  Are we willing to give all to the Lord, even our food and our money?  Are we willing to live our lives always seeking the will of God and not our own?

·      Most of us are “on the way” and perhaps not quite willing to give everything.  Yet we want to come to that point in our lives and give ourselves completely to God. Today we learn that it is not the size of the gift, but the spirit behind it that matters. When we give with an attitude of gratitude and self-offering, it is acceptable to God; but when we give with a sense of self-promotion, then there is a problem. Where self-giving sacrifice is lacking, a gift becomes, at best, a transaction, or an attempt to win admiration or to avoid criticism.

·      Beloved friends, the Church wants us to learn from today’s readings how to make selfless sacrifices for the good of others. Even Christ, as the second reading (Hebrew 9:24-28) tells us: made one single and eternal selfless sacrifice for our sake. So what can you sacrifice today for the good of the poor, the needy, abandoned children, your neighbour, etc.? Your money, time, advice, words of consolation/encouragement could be your jar of meal or widow’s mite so do not hesitate to give it out. It can save a soul today.

·      The Gospel today is, therefore, a strong challenge for all of us. Why do many of us find it difficult to share with the poor and to contribute to the Church? Perhaps many of us must be reminded that everything comes from God and that we are just managers of everything that we have. Or perhaps we are not yet convinced that God provides and that He can never be outdone in generosity. Are we afraid that God will not do His part of the deal? Then it simply means we do not trust God enough. And definitely, we do not love Him enough, for as St. John said, “one who fears is not yet perfect in love.”

·      The famous French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau said: “When a man dies, he carries in his hands only that which he has given away”. Remember this epitaph on the 17^th century gravestone of Christopher Chapman in Westminster Abbey: “What I kept I lost. What I spent I had. What I gave I have”.

·      Happy Sunday!!!