YEAR B: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
THEME: WHAT DO YOU SEE?
BY: Fr. Christian Eze
First reading – I Kgs 17:10-16
Second reading – Heb. 9:24-28
Gospel – Mk. 12:38-44
Honestly, during launching or special donations, our interests are at the peak usually at the beginning when “serious people” are coming out to mention their hundreds of thousands and tens of thousands. It would not be difficult at this time to notice the enthusiasm in the clapping of hands. But as soon as it drops to the hundreds, even the clapping starts growing faint indicating a loss of interest. And after a while latter, mentioning the amount given would become a waste of time; yes, it would have come to the turn of those who would be giving their twenty, ten and five naira notes. Many would not be interested anymore. But it is quite interesting to know that this was when Christ’s own interest was kindled; that was when he began watching closely, when he commented, when he praised, when he clapped, when he appreciated and when he blessed. His ways are not our ways.
I think the poor widow in the gospel of today would have least imagined that the Savior had noticed her. I suppose that had she known anyone would be watching, she would have felt too ashamed to make herself visible. She rightly believed in her God who sees in secret: “…your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you (Matt. 6:4). If only we are aware that God takes note of all our secrete and hidden actions, if only we constantly keep in mind that we are observed and judged by God in our least conscious and most secluded hours, our attitude to certain things would change. The book of proverbs rightly puts it: “The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, observing the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3).
And you know what; the striking thing here is that as often as God observes, He usually sees different from what a mortal man sees. A mortal man could have seen in the poor widow nothing but wretchedness, destitute, hopelessness and bitterness. But Jesus observed and saw greatness, wealth and the highest donor. In the first reading of today, the woman of Zarephath observed herself and the situation on ground. What she saw was her last meal and the impending death of hers and her son – “… gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat and then we shall die” 1 Kg. 17:12. But God, through his prophet Elijah saw a different thing – a jar meal that shall not be spent, a jug of oil that shall not be emptied; in other words, the life and not the death of the woman and her son.
Take a closer look at yourself. What do you see? A greater percentage of people would see in themselves an impending end, a family coming to a close, a business about to fold up, a spinster for life, a bachelor for mockery, a jobless man or woman, name it. And indeed, your fellow men would help you to see the worst of your situation. They would summarize it for you that you are already a finished commodity. But do you realize the presence of The Impartial Personal Observer, Jesus, the only one who sees exactly and correctly? He is the one whose ways are not our ways – Is 55: 8-9. He is the one whose strength is made manifest in weakness – 2 Cor. 12:9. In your weakness, he sees strength; in your sickness he sees health coming your way, in your despondency, he sees hope. And let’s be careful about this too, in our sumptuous banquet as well, He might see a “MENE MENE TEKEL PARSIN”. Just trust everything to him like the Zarephath woman and the poor widow. He will make a way for you.
OUR SONG TODAY
God will make a way Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me
He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Oh, God will make a way Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me
He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today
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