This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The scribes devour the houses of widows, says Jesus in today’s gospel. Tough phrasing. God demonstrates his tender, individual love for every human throughout Scripture by most fiercely condemning injustices to persons, especially the needy.
All the external acts of piety in the world pale in importance compared to the acts done to our fellow humans.
The archangel Rafael says as much in the first reading:
“Prayer and fasting are good,
but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness.
A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness.
It is better to give alms than to store up gold;
for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin.”
And Raphael’s message about a little given with righteousness outweighing much given with wickedness is in turn echoed by Jesus in the gospel, when He points to the widow’s tiny gift outweighing the abundant excess given by the rich.
Raphael in the first reading and Jesus in the gospel appear to be finishing each other’s sentences. Using Gospel-like language, we may say that we are foolish if we have not ears to hear what they are saying. How often we Christians find reasons to found our duty outside of kindness and mercy to neighbor–for example, in having the “right” vote or preferred candidate in the political sphere.
While upright civic engagement is important, if we hear the words of Jesus, nothing is more important then self-sacrificing love of neighbor, particularly our neighbor in need.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus to infuse into your heart the supernatural gift of charity, whereby your heart is truly moved and aroused by the need of neighbor, both on the physical and the spiritual levels.
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