HOMILY OF 32TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY OF 32TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: THE POWER OF RECKLESS GIVING
BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa
1 Kg 17:10-16, Heb 9 : 24 – 28, Mk 12:38-44
In ancient Israel, widows and orphans represented vulnerability and desperate need due to the loss of earthly support. Typically, husbands and fathers provided financial security, protection, and social status. Without them, widows and orphans relied on extended family, community charity, and divine provision.
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God declared Himself father of the fatherless and protector of widows (Psalm 68:5), promising not to shame or discourage them (Isaiah 54:4-5). He acts as spouse to widows and parent to orphans, demonstrating special concern for the marginalized, as seen in the unjust treatment of a persistent widow (Luke 18:2-3).
But despite vulnerability, the two widows in today’s readings (1 Kings 17:10-16; Mark 12:41-44) demonstrate profound faith in God and genuine love for neighbors. They overcome dire circumstances, exemplifying reckless giving—trusting in God’s abundance and generously giving without concern for personal loss.
In our first reading (1 Kings 17:10-16), Prophet Elijah encounters the widow of Zarephath. This meeting occurred in Zarephath, a pagan territory near Sidon, at a period in Israel marked by severe famine (1 Kings 17:1, 18:2) and widespread suffering.
Upon arriving, Elijah sees her gathering sticks at the city entrance. He requests water and bread, but she replies, “I have baked nothing. I have only a few tablespoons of flour and a drop of oil. I am gathering sticks to prepare the last meal for me and my son before we die” (1 Kings 17:12).
Elijah reassures the widow, “Don’t fear; go as planned. First, make me a small cake, then prepare for yourself and your son” (1 Kings 17:13). She trusts Elijah’s words and obeys. This seemingly unreasonable act—recklessly generous, trusting God’s promise through His prophet—unlocks divine blessings for her and her son (1 Kings 17:14-16).
In our gospel text (Mark 17:10-16), Jesus was sitting opposite the Temple treasury—a public place for donations—observing people donating. He observed that many rich people give generously, but one poor widow who donates two coins (the smallest denomination) catches his attention.
He praises the widow for her extraordinary selflessness, declaring, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12:41–44).
The widows of Zarephath and the Temple treasury demonstrated remarkable faith. Despite having meager resources—a few tablespoons of flour and oil and two coins, respectively—they chose to give everything they had to live on, defying common sense and relying on divine provision—reckless giving.
A friend once gifted a bowl of pure gold to a monk. One night, as the monk lay down to sleep, he noticed a man lurking nearby, a thief intent upon stealing the golden bowl. “Here, take this,” said the monk, holding out the bowl. “That way you won’t disturb me once I have fallen asleep.”
The thief eagerly grabbed the bowl and made off, only to return it the next morning with a request. He said, “When you gave away this bowl so freely last night, you made me feel very poor.” “I beg of you: please teach me how to make that kind of lighthearted detachment possible.”
Both widows we met today refused to cling to what was theirs; they gladly gave away all that they had. They gave freely without concern for personal loss; they were reckless with their resources.
As the saying goes, “True giving is recklessly generous, trusting God’s abundance.” This means that genuine giving surrenders control and security, trusts God’s boundless provision, ignites radical generosity, and reflects faith in God’s goodness. True giving appears unreasonable and defies mathematical calculations.
In their selfless acts, these widows demonstrated unreserved trust in God’s promise, unconditional love for others, and freedom from material attachments. May their examples inspire us to embrace reckless giving, deepening our faith, and reflecting God’s love. Amen.
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