Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

38 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,
39 seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.
40 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
42 A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
43 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.
44 For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

Reflection:

What the Gospel is All About?

Our gospel for today is from Mark 12:38-44. We have one word to remember about our gospel today and that is the word “scribes”. Who were the scribes that the gospel from Mark 12:38-44 is referring to? Scribes were the interpreters of the Old Testament. “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces”.

This is a reminder from Jesus to keep in mind. The scribes were types of lawyer. They were in good positions to defraud people who confided in them. Instead of helping the poor, they took advantage of their vulnerability. The gospel from Mark 12:38-44 will make us question ourselves, are we the poor people or are the scribes?

To link our gospel to our present situation…

Our present age is obsessed with the image that it becomes the most important part of our lives. It becomes the most important thing our leaders are making up for themselves. Upon reading the gospel, we try to reflect the true challenge we are facing right now.

The gospel’s message is very broad but it only has one lesson. It is to make sure we never fall to the wrong things this world will bring us. To contemplate more, we must protect our faith for it is the only one that will never abandon us.

Our realization…

We need to be strong in faith and trust God above all. Our world may fail to give us what we needed while on earth, but God won’t fail us. We should not become the scribes who only lived for themselves. We must be the widow, the poor, the children of God whom He loved. We should bear witness of the grace that only the pure of heart can see.

Feast day for today:

St. Herculanus of Perugia

Song of the day:

I Will Sing Forever – Bukas Palad

– Clea | Helpline PH