Am I ready to become an Advertiser of the Poor?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 32nd Week - Sunday*

*GOSPEL -  Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44*

*First Reading - 1 Kgs 17:10-16*

*SECOND READING - Heb 9:24-28*

*Am I ready to become an Advertiser of the Poor?*

*1) Two categories of People in the Gospel*

*The First category : The scribes* At times Jesus called them hypocrites and blind guys for their behaviour 

They advertise about their own hypothetical things. A couple of them are mentioned in today's Gospel 

*Who like to go around in long robes*

*Want to accept greetings in the marketplaces*

*Thet desire seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets*

*They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers*

*The Second Category*

Here comes the widow. No publicity, but does every gesture of charity with great faith, without expecting anything in return

She is good at heart. Gives more than what she could give. 

In fact she gives what she needed most for her survival. 

Such was her generosity with out any publicity

*2) Jesus becomes an advertiser to the Widow*

In the temple many people came to drop the money in the temple treasury. 

Many rich people dropped lots of money, which was observed by at least few 

There comes the poor widow, drops two little copper coins and disappears from the scene. 

Except Jesus no one noticed this poor widow

Jesus not only noticed the widow, but highlighted this good gesture of the widow. 

In a way because of Jesus the incident got the importance and finally became very important event in the entire Gospel. 

So we can say that Jesus became an advertiser to this poor widow to highlight the great gesture of this widow. 

*3) There people like widow of the Gospel*

There are many people who practice the virtue of generosity, like the widow of the Gospel. 

But hardly anybody notices such noble gesture of these holy people to appreciate it and publish it 

As a result such things never get any importance. In this context a disciple of Jesus is called upon to act like Jesus, that is to publish the good gesture of the poor people 

Such publicity will be of great inspiration for many to know the real meaning of generosity.

*4) Am I ready to become an advertiser for the poor and for Jesus?*

Since there are plenty of things which are done by so called poor people will I take little trouble to publish it to make known to the world 

Publicity will help these people to concentrate more on such things and to do greater works 

So all are called to become a channel for publicizing the good gesture of those who are really poor and forgotten

We are also called to become an advertising channel for Jesus and for his mission 

Am I ready for this holy task?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*