November 7, 2021: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
November 14th is World Day of the Poor. Read Pope Francis’ proclamation: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/20210613-messaggio-v-giornatamondiale-poveri-2021.html
Readings
First Reading: 1st Kings 17:10-16
Psalm: 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The charity of Christ is the source in us of all our merits before God. Grace, by uniting us to Christ in active love, ensures the supernatural quality of our acts and consequently their merit before God and before men. The saints have always had a lively awareness that their merits were pure grace.
After earth’s exile, I hope to go and enjoy you in the fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for your love alone. . . . In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands, for I do not ask you, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is blemished in your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in your own justice and to receive from your love the eternal possession of yourself. (2011)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: No references this week
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
Stark contrasts show the power of God, preach the message of salvation and sets people free. Zarephath was a Gentile town worshiping Baal, the god of storms and fertility. A land struggling with drought, minimal twigs of firewood and low provisions. Entering the town, the Hebrew prophet Elijah comes not to predict the future, but share the bounty of God to transform the way people envision their lives. A venture into hostile territory, where his presence invoking forthcoming rain could be looked on as an assault on their beliefs, a critique of Baal’s failure. A coming together of the three classes of people afforded assistance, as a royal responsibility of kings in the Hebrew tradition. The women a widow, her son an orphan and Elijah a stranger to them represented the trinity afforded assistance in traditional customs. In a land worshiping many gods that failed to satisfy and provide, the royal provider was God to exemplify His kindness by giving food to the hungry. Not just for a day, but for a year all three survived. The widow acknowledged the reality, the physical limits of her predicament in an oath like response, “As the Lord your God lives.” In giving of the first fruits, in an act of trust by her actions, she baked Elijah the first cake in repose to his prophetic exhortation to not be afraid. A faith that sustained , like the miraculous provision of manna in the desert of Exodus, until the rains fell in a year, all in a land where the god of storms and fertility failed to provide moisture to bring forth food to sustain the people.
Jesus’s statements do not offer blanket condemnations, but critiques the hypocrisy of those exploiting positions of trust. Institutions of worship can be sanctifying edifices or religious country clubs, honoring gods of prestige, status, by honoring people adorned in fine clothing, their names on building marquees and nursing salutations of respect framed in pious prayers hollowly reverberating on hallowed walls. Scribes crafting a pious image to gain trust yet devour the houses of widows from administering their estates. Consecrated to display wealth fraught with gods of every imaginable agenda festering to contain large sums of money. Creating an environment where people lack understanding of why they come to put their feet on holy ground. A place where the least in society are ignored or denied entry. The message of their presence displaying a resolute understanding of why they come to the sacred place, to affirm they give their all in loving and serving God above all other wannabe gods present and contrived. Unnoticed by those coming with ulterior motives, but under the loving gaze of God. For the Lord raises up those bowed down, gives food to the hungry and sets captives free through all generations. Manifest in Jesus’ trinity of salvation from the cross of Good Friday, to His intercessions on our behalf today and HIs second coming to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him. An awaiting removed from the hoopla of gods created in the filaments of one’s imagination, to dwell in the House of the Lord to spiritually deposit our hope, trust in stewardship of the Lord’s Church.
Individual Reflection: 1st Kings 17:10-16
Buy fair trade olive oil for Christmas gifts and help Palestinian farmers: https://equalexchange.coop/olive-oil
Family Reflection: 1st Kings 17:10-16
Make a 1, 2, 3, 4 cake and share with someone needing a treat: https://www.bakefromscratch.com/basic-1-2-3-4-cake/
Prayer: November 9th is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. This week pray for unity in the global Church, as the synod process begins.
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born November 6, 2021. The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.