READINGS: 1 Kings 17:10-16/ Heb. 9: 24-28/ Mark 12:38-44
Theme: THE BIGGER THE SACRIFICE, THE GREATER THE REWARD
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Some Businessmen and women say that ‘the higher the risk, the bigger the returns’ (on the investment). For instance, if one saves his/her GH₵ 1,000.oo in a risk free savings account in a bank in Ghana at an interest rate of 5% per annum he/she gets a return of only GH₵ 50.oo at the end of the year. On the other hand, if he/she takes the risk of investing in some other business, the annual returns on the investment may be GH₵ 2,000.oo or more.
Similarly, the stories of the two poor widows in first and gospel readings suggest to us that: ‘the Bigger the Sacrifice, the Greater the Reward.’
In the first reading, the widow took the big risk of trusting in the words of a thirsty and hungry stranger – the prophet Elijah – and offered him not only water but part of what would have been the last meal for her and the son. And what was the outcome? A rewarding miracle! Indeed, she was rewarded with more – 100% of what she sacrificed: the jug did not run out of flour, nor did the jar run out of oil before the day that the Lord sent rain! Yes, the Bigger the Sacrifice, the Greater the Reward!
Similarly, in today’s gospel reading, a poor widow took the risk of offering her ‘last’ coins – all that she had to live on! And the miracle? In the midst of some many people offering in the Temple, her generous offering was noticed by Jesus who then praised her! In this case we could see that the Bigger the Sacrifice, the Higher the Praise by the Lord!
Beloved, in the midst of the crowd of billions on this earth, may the Lord Jesus notice your sacrifice or offering done in the quiet; amen!
As the widow in the gospel was probably not aware that Jesus was praising her before his disciples, so though you may not be aware, may Jesus praise you before his angels and saints in heaven; amen!
And may you ultimately experience the greatest reward at the ‘Most Prestigious Award Winning Ceremony’ in heaven! Amen!
By Very Rev. Fr. John Louis
