10 November, Sunday — Giving all that we have

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 17:10-16
Heb 9:24-28
Mk 12:38-44

“…this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury…”

The focus of today’s gospel was on the offering of all the possessions which the widow had. It is noteworthy how Jesus valued the generosity of the widow but, in today’s context, I’d like to consider the giving of time. Sometimes, in church, I hear this remark that people will volunteer their time, only after they have established their families and careers. They plan to spend the most energetic time of their lives devoted towards the pursuit of secular/worldly goals.

In the world of 2024, the gift of time is more valuable than money. I acknowledge that there is a need for money in order to achieve certain goals of the church. However, we also need to realise that the lack of time is also a real challenge. The decision made to pursue one’s career and setting up of one’s family will definitely mean a lack of time available for God. The thought of giving God the time of our later years is, in my opinion, not a good way to honour Jesus. Jesus gave us the privilege to live in this world and He died for us. To put Him at the lowest priority is not a suitable way to honour Him.

Time given to God should never be left on the backburner. Instead, our lives should be designed in such a way that work punctuates our prayer life. The monastic call of ‘Ora et labora’ or ‘Pray and work’ is a good reminder for us. Both should not dominate our lives but, instead, serve as two sides of a balancing scale with God in the centre. This will allow us to give Jesus the time and energy which the Creator deserves.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)

Prayer: Jesus, we bring to you the challenges of our life and ask you to transform them to methods of sanctification.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for all the love you have given us.