Sunday Reading Reflections:

November 8, 2009
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Reflection:

In this reading we hear the beautiful story of the prophet Elijah and the widow and her son. During a great drought, Elijah met a widow and asked her for a small cupful of water and a bit of bread. She had only a handful of flour and a bit of oil that she was preparing for her son and herself. But she made a little cake for the prophet and was rewarded with flour and oil for a year, until the rains came again. The generosity of this widow touches us and fills us with admiration.

Reading 2 Reflection:

This reading contrasts the actions of the Jewish High Priest with Jesus' priestly office. Each year the Jewish high priest entered the sanctuary of the Temple of Jerusalem with the sacrifice of animals' blood. In contrast, Jesus entered the sanctuary of heaven and offered the sacrifice of himself once to take away our sins. During today's liturgy, let us ask especially for the forgiveness of our sins, especially for not being generous in forgiving one another.

Gospel Reflection:

In this reading we have the story of another widow who gave generously. Many rich people gave far more; she gave only two small copper coins not worth very much. But Jesus was moved by what she did and praised her to his disciples. She gave all that she had to live on. God loves generosity. Nothing is more moving to the heart of Jesus than our willingness to give of ourselves to help others.