Homily Points for 32 Sunday in ordinary time

 

32nd Sunday in Ordinary – Year B

Sunday, November 8, 2015
  • There are many images from the Synod on the “Family in the Contemporary World” that hit the net.
  • One that stood out for me was the image of 264 Bishops plus the Pope, taken from the rear of the aula (hall) where they met.
  • They were all dressed in Filotata – I think its called – the black soutane, large purple/red waist band and matching zuceto (skull cap).
  • And they were talking about family, marriage, sex, and raising children.
  • I wondered, in charity, what they could know about it? But they were not reticent to speak with authority. It is expected that they do so as scholars of the biblical texts and pastors of souls.
  • Of course, they are not scribes, but they are the face of traditional religion, not much different from the Judaism of Jesus.
  • In the text today, however, the scribes are given no benefit of authority.
  • Jesus calls them out for their conspicuous dress; their honorific titles and their dependency on tithing money, even from the poor, to finance their lifestyle.
  • We do not need to be scribes to be acquainted with the life of privilege.
  • We know our captains of industry and champions of money.
  • We know the obscene extent to which privilege dominates a society out of balance with justice, fairness and equality.
  • Jesus makes a statement and then contrasts the scribes with the poor widow.
  • She is generous, as they are, but the cost to her is greater from a lower base.
  • She cannot avoid being a victim but she does not play the victim,
  • She has a quality we admire – she gets on with a life that is not easy and without complaint.
  • The self-righteous are spared no criticism. Their fault, they make people feel bad about themselves. They discourage and dampen spirits.
  • Their greed feeds their need for admiration, appearance and approval.
  • Their grad actions contrast with the meekness of the widow.
  • The turning point of the story: let go of a self that feeds of being a winner; the rejoices in being right all the time; that finds glee in scoring off others.
  • We should try and let the teachings of Jesus find a stronger hold with us.
  • Look into our hearts and examine our attitudes.
  • Avoid a religious faith that parades in the garments of wealth and prestige.
  • Being right is not as important as doing good.
  • Put on humility not grandstanding; service not judgement; compassion not profit; self-giving not self-serving.
  • Last: the widow gave of herself not her wealth. An important cue for all of us.