Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
32nd Sunday of the Year, B – November 11, 2018.
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16;
Ps 145:7-10;
Hebrews
9:24-28; Gospel – Mark 12:38-44.
Theme: Unconditional Giving
Introduction
Friends in Christ, as we approach the end of the year,
our liturgical theme “Unconditional Giving” calls us to reflect on charity and
sacrificial giving. Before we delve into the lessons of the day, it is
important to perouse the background of the readings and highlight the types of
givers and kinds of giving as well as examples of unconditional giving and pastoral
application. Before we arrive at the conclusion, we would also consider some homiletic
points to remember.
Background & Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (1 Kings 17:10-16), we are
presented with the story of the widow who ministered to the needs of the
Prophet Elijah despite her scare resources. In obedience to God’s word, the
“Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the
day when the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.” As a consequence, the
little food she shared with the prophet was not spent nor the jug of oil
emptied just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.
The second reading (Hebrews 9:24-28) tells us how
Christ shared his humanity with us by offering himself with us to take away our
sins. It makes the point that Christ gave himself to humanity by unconditional
giving.
In the gospel (Mark 12:38-44), we are presented with the
story of the widow who gave two copper coins – noting how others gave out of
their plenty, Jesus praised the widow for giving more than others since they
gave all she had to live on. This leads us to the types of giving there are:
Types of Givers
1. Thanks
Givers: Thanks Givers are those who, with a cheerful heart
offering a wholehearted service to God for his kindness and blessings in their
lives. Often times, these Christians invite neighbours and colleagues to Church
where they book Mass of thanksgiving to God for promotion, protection and
provision. Amidst family and friends, they dance to the altar of God bringing
their gifts before him. Little wonder Paul says: “God loves a cheerful giver”
(2 Corinthians 9:7).
3. Ought Givers: Ought Givers are Christians who give because they
ought to give not because it is a dutiful service unto God. A classical example
of this kind of people are Ananias and Sapphira who decided to hoard some part
of the money that accrued from the sale of their land and declared a little
before the apostles. They gave because others were giving not because they were
convinced to give. The long and short of the story is that they were struck
dead (Cf. Acts 5:1-11).
2. Grudge
Givers: Grudge Givers are those who complain as soon as it is
time for bazaar, collection, levy, tithe or launching in the parish. They are
anti-giving. Most times, their money is for their enjoyment. They prefer to
lavish their money on cars, building, wine, women, recharge card, DSTV to
mention a few rather than “waste” it on any missionary enterprise. It is
because of this kind of givers that St. Paul said: “Each one must do just as he
has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians
9:7). This brings us to the four types of giving there are:
Kinds of Giving
1. Qualitative
Giving: This is about setting aside the best of all that the
Lord has given us to return thanks to him. It is because of this kind of giving
that God accepted the sacrifice of Abel and rejected that of Cain (Gen 4:4
Cain). St. Paul insists that: “Each one
of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper” (1 Corinthians 16:2).
Though the widow that gave two copper coins was poor, she gave more and was
praised by Jesus (Mark 12:41-44).
2. Quantitative
Giving: In this kind of giving, we are supposed to access our
giving based on the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us. Givers never lack.
St. Paul says “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Our second reading says, “But if we deny him, he will deny us” (2 Tm 2:12).
3. Spiritual Giving: Spiritual giving constitutes using our gifts and
talents to the glory of God. Since God has given us a variety of gifts, talents
and all the duties and services of life to be used for his glory (1 Pet 4:10),
spiritual giving creates a platform for us to support the work of God in kind
and whichever way we can.
