Homily for the Week of November 11, 2012

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE B: 2012 1 Kings 17:10-16; Ps 146; Heb. 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 On April 11, 2009, an unknown unemployed 47 year old woman took the stage of the television talent show: Britain’s God Talent. She was awkward on the stage, filled with nervous fear as she walked out to the small piece of tape marking her spot at center stage. She faced an audience that was used to beautiful young talent, and three judges to evaluate her. She was an unappealing contestant, if ever there was one. But as the muffled laughter of the audience quieted down, Susan Boyle opened her mouth and out poured the haunting lyrics and melody of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. It was a powerful and confident voice that seemed it did not belong to the body from which it sprang. And as she sang the audience was transformed to converts and believers. They listened with stunned silence for a few seconds, and then burst forth in a standing ovation throughout the rest of the song. At that moment the dream that Susan Boyle dreamed actually came true. It is a great story. From rags to riches. An unknown who becomes a YouTube sensation overnight. She makes us wonder this weekend when the Bible speaks of the poor and unknown who make a difference. It also makes us wonder how many heros and champions are living right among us, lacking only their chance to show the world their hidden gifts. What great business ideas fail to be born for lack of enough money. What leaders remain in the back of the room because they do not have the courage and hope to keep trying after early defeats. What loving hearts stay locked up in loneliness rather to risk opening up after experiencing betrayal or bereavement. What great novel or music remains unwritten because the author cannot face another round of rejection slips. But sometimes the most important moments in the human story do not happen on center stage, and they are not captured on YouTube. Some of the greatest stories are not played out in front of thousands of adoring fans, nor affirmed by thunderous applause. This might be the patient caregiver who tirelessly tends to the physical and emotional needs of a single bedfast patient or family member. Or a person with very little money who nonetheless opens their heart and their wallet to share with another person even less fortunate than they are, or who drops a single coin in the collection basket. These are the silent, unknown champions of the human spirit. Because of their faithfulness the world turns and God’s goodness is made known. Our Bible readings for today tell us the story of two unlikely champions, both widows, both who were heros of faith and generosity. At the time the Bible was written widows were at the very bottom of the economic ladder. In the first reading today, there is a story of a widow who is down to her last handful of flour and a tiny bit of oil. She is just about to try to make something for her son and herself to eat, certain it will be their last meal. While gathering sticks at the entrance of the city, the widow encounters Elijah, who asks her first for a cup of water and then for a bit of bread. She explains her situation, and Elijah’s response seems initially to be incredibly insensitive. He asks her to bring him a little cake, even before she prepares something for herself and her son. What the biblical author does not recount is the kind of conflict such a request must have produced for the widow. Should she trust Elijah’s God, who insists that her jar of flour will not go empty nor the jug of oil run dry? Or should she follow her motherly instincts to feed her child first? The obligations of hospitality win out; she gives all she had to live on. Miraculously, the prophet’s promise of a never-ending supply of flour and oil comes true. In the Gospel Jesus tells us about another widow who came into the Jerusalem temple one day just a week before Jesus would be nailed to a cross. At the entrance were several trumpet shaped metal containers into which people tossed coins. Those who had lots of money tossed in many coins and this made lots of noise. But a widow comes in, tosses in 2 small coins, the only money that she had. As far as we know, she didn’t even know that Jesus was watching her. But Jesus did notice her. Jesus knew that these two small coins represented her entire net worth. It was all the money she had. And Jesus said to his surprised disciples that her gift was the largest one given, because she gave her very life. It was the same thing Jesus would do later that week on the cross. These two widows gave away what they had. These two widows did not give of their left overs, but what they needed to live. Our first and third readings of today demand of us that we turn around society. We are called to open up pathways and doors of opportunity. Jesus demands of us that. He cautions us that we not be like the money makers of the society who often invite us to invest with them or to buy their goods often persuading those who can least afford it. These scribes were good at telling others what to do. For the widow, giving was not to impress others, but an expression of the love of God and love of others. Our American culture invites us to make sure we receive more than we give. Too often we identify poverty with lack of money. But the first beatitude of Jesus says: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven. The glass that is full can receive no more. It is only the empty glass or cup that can be filled. If we find ourselves filled with everything that is not of God, then it is difficult for God to empty our lives. We become completely attached to material things. There is nothing bad in having possessions and money. But poverty of spirit allows us to detach ourselves from always wanting more and newer and newer, or having what someone else has. Too often we associate what we have to material things. But we are also a spiritual person with a spiritual and religious life. Our faith is also a gift that comes from God. Most people intend to take care of their material things including their money. They are usually proud of what they have. Most people lock up their house, put their money in safe places. They intentionally do this. They get advice from others to help them. Are we equally attentive to our Catholic faith? How well do we take care of it, and make it increase in our life? How well do we make our Catholic faith our own, or do we still believed that it was grandfathered to us -- passed down from our parents or grandparents? The widows were not told what to do. It was part of what they believed their faith in God wanted them to do. After the final blessing of the Mass, the priest says to you: GO IN PEACE TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD. To which you respond: THANKS BE TO GOD!