Do I trust God or do I trust myself?
november 10, 2024 | 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
1 Kings 17:10-16; Ps. 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
Last Sunday’s reading was reminding us about loving the Lord with all our soul, with all our mind, with all our strength. However, we often have in the Bible, people who trust in themselves (the Scribes, the Pharisees, the rich, the proud, the self-sufficient who did not need God or his help) instead of trusting in God and those who depend on God for everything called the “ah-nah-weem” (anawim), these include, the humble, the afflicted, the poor, the widows and orphans, the strangers and all the most vulnerable of the society who put their trust in God. Jesus, by contrasting the attitude of the prideful attitude of the Scribes as opposed to the total surrender of the widow into God’s hands, is reminding all us that:
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom (trusting the Lord) are kept safe”. (Proverbs 28:26)
The proud Scribes
Jesus warns us today as he did in his own time of the pride, hypocrisy, clericalism and deceitful attitudes of “the proud scribes” who were religious leaders in Israel.
“Beware of the Scribes” (Mark 12:41)
Sometimes, we might all be caught up in this attitude of narcissism, radicalism, self-centeredness, religious abuse and drawing excessively attention to ourselves rather than giving attention to the Lord and to others. Sometimes we too, stay in the way of God by exploiting those who are vulnerable. Christians should not at any time miss the focus on God and seize the opportunity they have to serve the poor and the marginalized. Jesus was always pointing our focus on the Father. All our entire lives should point at the service of God who always shows mercy and abundantly blesses those who love, obey and trust in him like the widow of Zarephath.
“The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.”
(1 Kings 17:15)
Humility and self-giving
Opposed to the attitude of self-praise, megalomania, prestige and self-esteem, and excessive desire to be noticed of the scribes Jesus admires and commends the interior charity, generosity, and humble offering of the poor widow. He says:
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in
more than all the other contributors to the treasury” (Mk 12:43).
This widow had given from her heart all that she had.
“For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:44).
She manifests above her mighty trust and fidelity in God. Jesus does not want us to miss this beautiful teaching on what true faith in God is. It is investing ourselves completely in him. It is when we give the Lord everything that is, trusting totally in the Lord without retainer and holding anything back. By giving all she had she expressed her faithfulness and total trust in Jesus our High Priest and Mediator before the Father.
Having admiration for simple and humble people
Like Jesus, I know most of us have great admiration for many people in our Churches today. I personally admire so many people in our Parish among the staff, the ministries, and other parishioners, maybe not as they put in the basket collection, but as they portray their faith, their love, their service and their unfailing trust in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in you like the widow did. Guide us to give from our hearts without seeking honor or praise, especially to the less fortunate. May our faith be sincere and our sacrifices real. Amen.
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac
Living the Gospel this week: Psalm 146:7: “Praise the Lord, My Soul”
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
Take this week to thank and praise God in good times and in bad times of your daily life!
Read Psalms 100; 111; 95:1-7; 92; 89; 30.
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC