32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr.B Grow in our Christ-like benevolence
Ref. 1 Kgs 17:10-16; Mk 12:38-44 Nov. 9,10-2024 Dcn. Bill Kenney
“I am not a robot” is a check-box statement where we affirm on surveys and other documents that, through a computer, I’m really here, really giving the thoughts and actions of my own being, not an automated response. In this dawn of AI technology, can a robot express true emotion and empathy? Check the box. These are what make us human. In our faith, we are called to give mercy, love, trust and hope to God and others. Can a robot make such sacred sacrificial acts of giving? Check the box. This is what makes us children of God and disciples of Christ.
In today’s readings from 1 Kings and the Gospel of Mark, God speaks to us through examples of sacrificial giving. Sacrificial giving is a function of kindness and generosity- fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is giving from the heart; freely giving without attaching strings of expectations or benefits. Both poor widows give from their poverty and obedience to God leading to their sanctity. Indeed, from Scripture, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” and “The fatherless and the widow he sustains.” Theirs’s is sacrificial giving; a sacred act of benevolence. Sacrificial, because it is a call from God to freely give as we are freely given. Sacred, because when we make our giving holy out of obedience and love we direct it back to God, recognizing it as a means of doing his work. As Christians, we grow in our priestly sacrificial duty to provide for the needs of others; to ease the hardships of our brothers and sisters and provide comfort.
I recently experienced a heart-warming example of this same Gospel message from a homebound widow, who, being a person of poor health and modest means tithed a small gift of money out of faith, hope, and trust in the Lord that it will go to help others in need. Giving from his poverty, the Holy Spirit was truly moving through this person; it was awesome to behold.
Peter Kreeft tells us, “The test of love is sacrifice.” How much you love is told by the depth of your sacrifice. The two widows sacrificed with the last of what they had. Jesus Christ, out of great love for us, came down from heaven, lowering himself to become one with us; experiencing all things of life, except sin. The Paschal Mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection was the atoning sacrifice for sinful man. As the sacrificial Lamb of God, he gave all he had. The depth of his sacrifice is vast; his love for us is boundless and everlasting.
The holy sacrifice of the Mass recounts Christ’s atoning victory. When we partake of the Holy Eucharist we become a tabernacle of the Lord. We are called, by his body and blood, to a sacred sacrificial life for others in their need.
Sacrificial life indeed…
Peter Kreeft tells a true-life account of a six-year-old boy who gladly gave his three-year-old sister a life-saving blood transfusion. During the procedure he looks up at his parents and asks, “How long will it take me to die?” From the poverty of his understanding, his great love for his sister, to give her renewed life, was greater than the sacrifice of his own life. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
To be called “benevolent” is a profound compliment and is the highest giving. In great kindness, a benevolent person thinks and acts on others’ needs without regard to her own. It is a unique, signal grace to give unexpected acts of kindness. By sharing the blessings in your life with others in their need, you act as a holy instrument of God’s handiwork and a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
How do you give your time, talent, and treasure in a way that’s sacrificial and sacred? You do it out of humility, gratitude, and love.There are many charitable Church-affiliated and community organizations to donate your volunteer work, funds, food, clothing and other items. Most of all, offer up your prayers for God’s work to be done to provide for those in need. Check the “I am not a robot” box and give from the benevolence of your blessed human heart to do God’s work.
All-benevolent Father, the refuge and strength of your people, you protect in adversity and provide for those in need who put their trust in you. May we persevere in seeking your will and find our way to you through charitable acts and obedience. Following Christ’s example, may we freely give in a spirit of love and sacred sacrifice to fulfill the needs of others; for our salvation and for the glory of God.