St. Joseph

November 11, 2018
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time


In 1 Samuel, God advises the prophet Samuel not to observe as men see but as God sees. He tells him to "look to the heart." This is the movement of this Sunday's Gospel reading. "Beware the scribes," Jesus advises. He points out their public greetings and "seats of honor," which stands in sharp contrast to their private greed. For the Jewish people of Jesus' day, honor resides at the top. Power and prestige created a high profile back then as it still does today. After his warning, Jesus turns his disciples' attention elsewhere: a poor widow.

"She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had." While the scribes donated large sums to the temple, they did so "from their surplus wealth." This woman -- in her faith and devotion -- offers "her whole livelihood." Jesus invited his disciples to see with God's eyes, to recognize a holy life in people the world overlooks. Here -- in the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized -- God waits hidden.

Today's Gospel begs a few questions. What do we see? Whom do we value? Are we impressed by the pomp and circumstance of modern day Pharisees? Do we ignore their self-righteousness because it looks impressive, even seems somewhat helpful? The point isn't to judge the scribes, of course. God can see their hearts as well, and those assessments are firmly his responsibility. The point is to turn our eyes from the typically honored to the rarely respected. Are we disinterested in the poverty of the modern day widows? Do we ignore their faith because we forget to look for it? This Sunday, consider the widows in your own life. Who can you see with God's eyes?

 
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