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Showing posts from November, 2012

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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First Reading: First Kings 17:10-16 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28 Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 Shared Homily Starter As I pondered the readings for today, two words came immediately to mind: sacrifice and generosity.   But as I thought about these words, altruism seemed to be the word that actually conveyed the meaning of the readings.   Altruism consists of sacrificing something for someone else with no expectation of any direct or indirect compensation or benefits. In the first reading, we are told that when Elijah asked the widow for a piece of bread, she tells him that she only has a handful of meal and a little oil.   She is going to make the last meal for her son and herself with it.   Still, she shares it with Elijah.   Now, you may think that she shared what she had with Elijah for gain; that she did it because Elijah promised her that God would ensure that the meal and the oil would last until the rains c