32B, SUDAY HOMILY, MARK 12:38-44, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
1. STORY
A poor worker
grew a large red carrot in his small garden. He thought that because it was so beautiful he
should give it to the king. The king was
very delighted to receive it. To show
his gratitude, he gave the poor worker three pieces of gold, a most generous
gift. Upon hearing this, a greedy
merchant decided he would also give the king a gift hoping he would be
generously rewarded. He went to the
palace with his precious gift, a cow. The
king saw this greedy person and refused the gift. However, the merchant insisted that the king
accept his gift. In order not to offend
the merchant, the king accepted the gift and told the merchant that to show his
gratitude he would give him a gift worth three pieces of gold. Naturally the merchant was delighted. The king gave the greedy merchant the
beautiful carrot. The merchant was both
surprised and greatly disappointed.
2. GOSPEL, MARK
12:38-44
A. THE GREEDY
SCRIBES
Jesus observed
the conduct of the greedy scribes or lawyers.
He said, “They devour the houses of widows and they will receive a
severe condemnation.”
B. THE POOR WIDOW
Jesus saw a poor
but generous widow. As she entered the
temple, she donated “two small coins worthy a few cents.” Jesus praised her generosity as “She had
contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A. THE GREEDY
PERSON
i) The greedy
person is one who is never satisfied with what he has. He always wants more. It could be more money, more food, more
clothing, or more gadgets. These will
not bring him more happiness.
ii) The greedy
person thinks only of himself with little or no concern for others. He does not share some of his wealth to help
the needy. He does not realize that in
bringing happiness to others, he, too, will be happy.
B. THE GENEROUS
PERSON
i) The generous person thanks God for his blessings. He realizes that God is the source of his wealth though it be large or small. He is satisfied with what he has.
ii) The generous
person shares his wealth to help others. He knows that in bringing happiness to others,
he will be blessed with happiness. In
our parish we can help others by supporting the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
4. CONCLUSION
The king
generously rewarded the poor worker for his generosity. The king taught the greedy merchant an
important lesson. Do not be greedy. Jesus praises the generous widow and
criticizes the greedy scribes. The
greedy person does not help the needy with his wealth. The generous person does help the needy with
his possessions. We can help in our
parish by supporting the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We thank God for the wealth he has given us. We ask for the strength to use our wealth to
help those in need.
