June 6, 2015 SATURDAY, 9TH Week in Ordinary Time
St. Norbert, Bishop
Green
Tb 12: 1. 5 - 15. 20 / Mk 12: 38 - 44
[St. Norbert (1080 – 1134), born in Germany, was consecrated Archbishop of Magdeburg; he preached for religious and moral reforms.]
Reading: Tb 12:1. 5 - 15. 20
When the wedding feast was over, Tobit called Tobias, his son, and said to him, "Be sure you give the wages to the man who accompanied you, and we should add something extra."
Then Tobias called the angel and said to him, "Please take half of all that you have brought." The angel took Tobit and Tobias to one side and said to them,
"Bless God, return thanks to him, proclaim his glory and render him thanks before all the living for all he has done for you. It is good to praise God and to exalt his Name, by making known in a worthy manner the story of God's deeds. Do not be slow in giving him thanks. It is good to hide the secrets of kings but to make known publicly the works of God. Do the works of God. Do good, and evil will not harm you. It is a good thing to accompany prayer with fasting, almsgiving and justice. It is better to do a little with honor than much with injustice. It is better to give alms than to treasure up gold. Almsgiving preserves from death; it purifies from all sin. Those people who give alms and act justly will have a long life, but sinners only harm themselves.
I will hide nothing from you. Yes, I have said that it is good to keep the secrets of kings but to make known publicly the glorious works of God. Tobit, when you and your daughter-in-law Sara prayed, I kept the remembrance of your prayer before the Holy One; when you, Tobit, buried the dead, I was with you in the same way; and when you did not hesitate to rise up and leave your meal in order to hide the dead man, your good deed did not go unnoticed because I was with you.
Well, God sent me to cure you and also to cure Sara, your daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers
Now bless and give thanks to God, because I am returning to the One who sent me. Write down in a book all that has happened."
Gospel: Mk 12: 38 - 44
As he was teaching, he also said to them, "Beware of those teachers of the Law who enjoy walking around in long robes and being greeted in the marketplace, and who like to occupy reserved seats in the synagogues and the first places at feasts. They even devour the widow's and the orphan's goods while making a show of long prayers. How severe a sentence they will receive!"
Jesus sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings. But a poor widow also came and dropped in two small coins. Then Jesus called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty and put in everything she had, her very living."
Reflection:
"Give until it hurts" is a very common cliché. A noble act requires a great deal of love, trust and sacrifice. It comes from a heart, pure and simple yet generous and abundant with faith. The truest meaning of giving is about selflessness which can be shown in a lot of opportunities as we serve our Lord through family, the Church or community – the time, undivided attention and care we shower our spouses, children, aging parents, many loved ones, friends and neighbors in need, the commitment for service, tithes to our community. The more we give up on convenience or comfort, the more we truly give.
Sometimes, though, it may seem that what we offer may look very small and not worth much. But again, God looks at our heart if we give freely with a deep sense of gratitude and love just like the poor widow who gave two small coins only but which were worth so much more.
We are also touched by the act of surrender to God, our Divine Provider. Hence, the poor widow's offering is invaluable, priceless and, ironically, incomparable to the value of money or worldly riches.
"Give until it hurts": a cliché overused but let us not lose its meaning or effect through noble and humble acts of selfless giving to all extent possible. All for God's greater glory!
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
TIMOTHY GOTAMCO TAN
VICTOR TAN
THANKSGIVING
KATHERINE UY & LEE COMER
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
JOSE & LINDA BAUTISTA
IN MEMORIAM (+)
ELEANOR REYES ONGHAI
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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