32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Mark:38-44)
Today’s Scripture readings seems to be about generosity, sincerity and the quality of our giving and commitment. The Scribes and Pharisees whom Jesus criticises may have been popular and generous but what seems to be most important for them is the image which they portray. The outward show of dress and being ‘hail fellows, well met’ seemed to motivate them more than being genuine neighbours and sincere persons. Hypocrisy eats away at the security of friendship and relationship and surely is the very antithesis of religion and spirituality.
Religious hypocrisy is not simply a lie; it deceives in order to win esteem by means of religious deeds which are not performed from pure intention. A hypocrite seems to be acting for God, but is actually acting for self. Throughout the scripture we are warned about hypocrisy and the danger that lies in wait to catch us out (Tim 4;2)
In some ways, generosity is the opposite of hypocrisy and we are given a wonderful example of what that means in today’s Gospel story of the poor widow. The ‘widow’s mite’ is part of our language now and it has been said that no widow ever became so famous by giving so little.
But that is unfair. The rich people in this story gave their ‘loose change’ but the widow felt ‘the pinch’ after her contribution. Generosity always takes its toll! But we know it never goes unrewarded.
Where do we need to be generous towards others? Do we need to be more generous towards God? Certainly the message of God’s Word for us today should pose searching questions for all of us. The sincerity of our relationship with God will draw us into deeper prayer -personal and intimate between God and me. There is no need for dress of outward appearances here! From that relationship will flow a sincerity in our relationships with others and particularly within the context of celebrating the Eucharist together. Generosity does not just imply sharing of material things. We can contribute generously of our time, our care and our prayer with and for each other.