All or Nothing

Listening to the Spirit

Most merciful Jesus,
I turn to You in my need.
You are worthy of my complete trust.
You are faithful in all things.
When my life is filled with confusion, give me clarity and faith.
When I am tempted to despair, fill my soul with hope.

Most merciful Jesus,
I trust You in all things.
I trust in Your perfect plan for my life.
I trust You when I cannot comprehend Your divine Will.
I trust You when all feels lost.
Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.

Most merciful Jesus,
You are all-knowing.
Nothing is beyond Your sight.
You are all-loving.
Nothing in my life is beyond Your concern.
You are all-powerful.
Nothing is beyond Your grace.

Most merciful Jesus,
I trust in You,
I trust in You,
I trust in You.
May I trust You always and in all things.
May I daily surrender to Your Divine Mercy.

Listening to the Word

Mk 12:41-44

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Reflection

All or Nothing is a title of a documentary movie about the life of Sister Clare Crockett from Ireland. When she was still young she wanted to be a famous actress. Indeed, she has everything to pursue that dream. But one day, when she joined a pilgrimage to Spain with her friends, she heard another calling, the call from the Lord. It was in the encounter with Jesus on the Cross that she felt God’s grace. In her own words she said, it was on that pilgrimage that Our Lord gave me the grace to see how He had died for me on the Cross. After I had received that grace, I knew that I had to change. I knew that I had to leave everything and follow Him. I knew with great clarity that He was asking me to trust in Him, to put my life in His hands, and to have faith. All or Nothing."

In today’s gospel, we encounter another great woman, a widow who trusts her life to God totally. She offered all she has (small copper coins) and contributed to the treasury. Seeing the total trust of this widow, Jesus praised the woman because out of her poverty she has put everything in, all she had to live on. Jesus praises this widow not because of the amount of money she gave but her total trust in God’s providence through the institution, the religious leaders in the Temple. How come?

Well, when this widow gave everything she had, she at the same time ‘declared’ to the leaders in the Temple that she has nothing for her daily bread. Thus, the Temple need to provide or pay attention to the need of this widow. In fact, in those times the Temple had the obligation to help the poor, orphans, and widows. This also happened in the early Christian communities where they chose some deacons to take care of the life of the widows (Act 6:1-6).

In this gospel, Jesus is teaching his disciples not to follow the example of some of the scribes who “devour widow’s houses.” Jesus warns his disciples of the danger of hypocrisy. Thus, by praising the widow who trusts in God’s providence, Jesus invites his disciples to have a loving heart, a compassionate heart, and attention to the need of others. This compassionate heart is a heart that ALL or for God. “Love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.” All or Nothing. Give All (your life, your mission, your heart) to God and you will be satisfied with His abundant grace.