Fr. Vincent Munary sx
Comment to the Gospel of Sunday 7th November 2021
In our reflexion in this 32nd Sunday of year “B” we are still following the evangelist Mark. He is leading us to accompany Jesus into Jerusalem for the last period of his life on earth.
On his way to Jerusalem he gave back the sight to Bartimeus; just to tell us to open our eyes and understand better what we see of him, our Saviour, and of the poor.
The solemn entry, the expulsion of the traders from the temple, the authority of Jesus questioned by the religious leaders, the great commandment of love are all happening in Jerusalem, around or in the temple; and here comes today's text of chapter 12 divided into 2 very clear parts: vv. 38 – 40 containing strong words against the religious authorities, their avidity of money, their efforts to make a show. This Jesus does while speaking to all.
Suddenly Jesus, who is sitting in front of the treasury where people put the offerings, has the opportunity to see something quite unusual, a miracle: a poor widow putting 2 small coins inside that box.
Jesus calls immediately his disciples and addresses to them, and to us now, solemn words: “Truly, truly I say to you” (v. 43) and Jesus continues: “This poor widow has put in more than all the others, for they contributed out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, her whole living” (cf. v 43).
It is almost impossible for us now to understand these words because everything is valued in money, and it is rare to find someone who feels he is very poor and so gives to God “HIS or HER LIVING” (all his life). (Nowadays this is called consecrated life.)
At this point one may ask: but now the bishops, priests, deacons how do they behave? Is the Lord happy with us? The Church gives us directives also on how to behave as regards this subject. I quote from a text recently issued by the Congregation for the Clergy.
40. NO QUESTION OF TARIFFS
The centrality of the Holy Spirit – a free gift from the Father and the Son to the Church – profoundly enlivens the aspect of generosity, in accord with the teaching of Jesus, who said: “You received without charge, give without charge” (Mk 10:8). The Lord taught his disciples to have a generous spirit of service, to be a reciprocal gift for the others (cf. Jn. 13:14-15), and to have a special care for the poor. From this derives the need not to “commercialise” the sacramental life, and not to give the impression that the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, along with other ministerial activities, are subject to tariffs.
FROM: “The pastoral conversion of the Parish” (20 – 07 – 2020) Congregation for the Clergy.
Comment to the Gospel of Sunday 7th November 2021
In our reflexion in this 32nd Sunday of year “B” we are still following the evangelist Mark. He is leading us to accompany Jesus into Jerusalem for the last period of his life on earth.
On his way to Jerusalem he gave back the sight to Bartimeus; just to tell us to open our eyes and understand better what we see of him, our Saviour, and of the poor.
The solemn entry, the expulsion of the traders from the temple, the authority of Jesus questioned by the religious leaders, the great commandment of love are all happening in Jerusalem, around or in the temple; and here comes today's text of chapter 12 divided into 2 very clear parts: vv. 38 – 40 containing strong words against the religious authorities, their avidity of money, their efforts to make a show. This Jesus does while speaking to all.
Suddenly Jesus, who is sitting in front of the treasury where people put the offerings, has the opportunity to see something quite unusual, a miracle: a poor widow putting 2 small coins inside that box.
Jesus calls immediately his disciples and addresses to them, and to us now, solemn words: “Truly, truly I say to you” (v. 43) and Jesus continues: “This poor widow has put in more than all the others, for they contributed out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, her whole living” (cf. v 43).
It is almost impossible for us now to understand these words because everything is valued in money, and it is rare to find someone who feels he is very poor and so gives to God “HIS or HER LIVING” (all his life). (Nowadays this is called consecrated life.)
At this point one may ask: but now the bishops, priests, deacons how do they behave? Is the Lord happy with us? The Church gives us directives also on how to behave as regards this subject. I quote from a text recently issued by the Congregation for the Clergy.
40. NO QUESTION OF TARIFFS
The centrality of the Holy Spirit – a free gift from the Father and the Son to the Church – profoundly enlivens the aspect of generosity, in accord with the teaching of Jesus, who said: “You received without charge, give without charge” (Mk 10:8). The Lord taught his disciples to have a generous spirit of service, to be a reciprocal gift for the others (cf. Jn. 13:14-15), and to have a special care for the poor. From this derives the need not to “commercialise” the sacramental life, and not to give the impression that the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, along with other ministerial activities, are subject to tariffs.
FROM: “The pastoral conversion of the Parish” (20 – 07 – 2020) Congregation for the Clergy.