Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."

Being a disciple of Jesus doesn’t mean we should seek honor for ourselves or exult ourselves above others. Instead, we are asked to be more like the poor widow and give everything we have to God. We are not supposed to make our charitable and merciful acts for the specific purpose of having them seen, but rather because it is the right thing to do. Sure someone may see us doing good and honor us for it, but that shouldn’t be the point of our deeds. Like Mary and the poor widow, we should do God’s Will without counting the cost and without expectation of honor. We are not to become puffed up peacocks like the Pharisees, but rather to be little ones of God thinking, speaking, and doing what our Heavenly Father asks us to do through the Holy Spirit.

Do we seek honor and exultation or do we seek God’s Will? When we commit acts of charity and mercy, do we expect others to recognize or thank us? How can we learn to be little ones of God, always doing what is right without counting the cost or expecting anything in return?

O Lord, we give you all we possess. Do with it what you will.

Amen.