For the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time…
The fatherless and the widow he sustains…
Psalm 146:9
Both this Sunday’s First Reading from 1 Kings and the Gospel from Mark 12 offer the stories of widows. (In the time of Elijah, and the time of Christ, widows had no rights to inheritances and had to rely on family members and others for their material sustenance.)
In the first book of Kings, Elijah the prophet promises God’s provision to the widow and her son despite their impending starvation. And in the Gospel Jesus points out a particularly faith-filled woman whose widowhood leaves her materially impoverished but spiritually rich in relation to her wealthier neighbors. Her donation to the temple treasury seemingly leaves her relying on God alone for her next meal.
The day’s psalm reminds us of many circumstances where we are to put our trust in him. One way God sustains us is by sending us his Son to make us all brothers and sisters of the Father. As we seek to live according to God’s provisions for us, let obey his commands and faithfully share the materially blessings we have with others. God has a special eye for those who are desperately in need of love and care, and especially, the basic necessities. In imitating his love in this way, we align our will with God’s.
Lord God, open our eyes to your provision for us, and for how our blessings from you can provide for others.
