Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

With elections over, and the end of the liturgical year to be celebrated next weekend with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the readings this week seem to me to be quite apropos.

In the Gospel according to Mark (13:24-32), Jesus reminds His disciples of the truth that this world will be, and often is, filled with tribulation and change whether wanted or unwanted. But Jesus doesn’t leave them, nor us, without hope. “…they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” I think that the great power and glory that Jesus will come with is forgiveness and love. For those who imitate Christ in their lives, this offers great hope and comfort. And we, Christ’s Elect, will be gathered “from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.”

The question then arises: what grounds our hope? Where can we find security when everything around us is in flux? Is hope merely wishful thinking? Again, the answer to these questions is found in the Gospel. The first piece of advice is to pay attention to what is happening in our lives and in our world. Instead of seeing just the awful or distressing, look for signs of Jesus’ already and always present, in our lives, our church, and our world. I’m fond of saying you find what you look for. I truly believe there is more grace than sin. But grace is often more subtle, and quiet. And if you can’t find any grace, be the grace you wish you could find.

Learn from the Eucharist. Though the bread is broken, it is in reality the Body and Blood of the Risen Christ. The Eucharist is our identity in this world, and our destiny. The destiny, not just of us but the cosmos “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away…” (Rev. 21:1)

Our hope is grounded in the truth that Jesus said to His disciples, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Christ, the Word of God made flesh, spoke the words of eternal life, and He and they are everlasting. Christ is the Truth, the Way, and the Life, given to us. And we who believe this, are called to become tender and bear fruit.

As the liturgical year comes to an end, let us reflect on our spiritual growth this past year. Has our faith given birth to the fruit of charity? If so how, and if not, why not?

– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

This Sunday, our readings present us with profound lessons on true generosity and faith. At the heart of Mark’s Gospel, we encounter the story of the poor widow who gave two small coins as her offering at the temple. Jesus observes her act and points out to His disciples that she, in her poverty, has given more than all the others who contributed from their surplus wealth. This moment provides a powerful lesson: true generosity is measured not by the size of the gift, but by the heart and sacrifice behind it.

In our first reading from 1 Kings, we find a similar act of sacrificial giving. The prophet Elijah encounters a widow in Zarephath who, despite being on the brink of starvation with her son, offers him the last of her food. Her faith and willingness to give, even when she had so little, leads to God’s miraculous provision. This story echoes the Gospel’s theme: God values the selflessness and trust of those who give from their very need.

What then are the lessons we can take from these readings?

• Generosity is an Act of Trust: Both widows in the readings give everything they have. Their acts are not just about charity; they are acts of profound trust in God. The widow in the Gospel might have worried about how she would survive after giving away her last coins, but she trusted that God would provide. This invites us to reflect: do we trust God enough to give not only from our abundance but even when it requires sacrifice?

• Quality over Quantity: Society often measures the worth of a gift by its size or monetary value, but Jesus challenges this view. The wealthy donors in the Gospel gave large sums, but Jesus singled out the widow as her gift was all she had. God sees beyond appearances and values the love, faith, and sacrifice that accompany our offerings.

• A Call to Examine Our Priorities: The Gospel begins with a warning against the scribes who seek honor and recognition while neglecting true compassion and service. This is a reminder for us to examine our motives. Are we seeking acknowledgment for our acts of kindness, or are we giving out of genuine love for God and neighbor? True discipleship calls us to humility and self-giving without seeking praise.

How do we apply these lessons in our lives? We are called to live out the Gospel by embracing a spirit of generosity and trust. This does not only mean financial giving; it means giving our time, energy, love, and service to others, especially those in need. True generosity may be as simple as offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or being present for someone who feels alone. It is in these acts, given from the heart, that we embody Christ’s teachings.

We can draw inspiration from these two widows who, in their poverty, showed extraordinary faith and love. We too, strive to give from the depths of our hearts, trusting that God sees and cherishes every act of selfless love. As we approach the altar, ask for grace to be generous —giving not only when it’s easy, but especially when it requires faith. Giving is not just about what you could spare—it’s more about what you were willing to share, no matter the cost.

– Fr. Zack