From the responsorial psalm: "The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. Praise the Lord, my soul!"

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 12:38-44)

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

Jesus warns the crowds of the scribes. They seek attention by the way they behave and dress, and they seek out places of honor in the marketplace and at banquets. And then Jesus says something else that seems to stand apart from the rest of what he says. He tells the crowds, "They devour the houses of widows and as a pretext recite lengthy prayers." As he sits down opposite the treasury, Jesus observes rich people putting in large amounts of money. Then a widow approaches and puts in two small coins worth a few cents. Jesus contrasts the action of the scribes who swallow up the property of healthy widows and lengthen their prayers in an attempt at restitution with the widow herself who gives out of her whole livelihood. The widow is an image and example of God's boundless generosity.

God, help me be generous today with the gifts you gave me first. In the first reading, the widow serves Elijah out of her extreme poverty. Yet, Elijah tells her, "Do not be afraid." In serving others, the widows in the first reading, the responsorial psalm, and the Gospel all receive new life from you who sustained them and raised them up. Throughout the day, guide me toward opportunities to meet someone in their poverty and be generous in your gift of mercy as you are generous to me. Lord, you give food to the hungry and set captives free!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.