I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

2 Tim. 4:1-8, Mk 12:38-44. Today's first reading presents us with a challenge to be persistent in our rebuke of heretical doctrine: "For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths." Out of his generosity, Paul stood by his faith in the Lord despite persecution, he affirmed: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." In today's Gospel, Jesus encourages tremendous generosity of spirit as He noticed the donation of the widow who put in small copper coins into the collection box. She contributed more than all the others; for they gave from their surplus while she gave everything she had to live on. This is another way of arriving at the end of the journey and of finishing the race.

The widow gave herself totally to the Lord with her mite. The widow’s mite, which refers to something small, nonetheless, displays a tremendous generosity of spirit. This insignificant widow who had next to nothing to give is, in reality, a living image of generosity. Generosity of spirit can be expressed in very ordinary ways. There can be times in our lives when we have very little, but if we are generous with the little we have, we are rich in the eyes of the Lord. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law often prided themselves in their privileged and highly respected position in the community and showed off their faith, seeking important and privileged positions, basking in the praise and respect from the other people who saw them and their actions. Today, Jesus challenges us to be careful and vigilant against the temptations of ego and pride in our lives. We must focus our attention on God and put Him first in our lives, else we will be easily swayed away.

May the Lord help us to remain focused on God, that we may detach ourselves from worldly concerns that make us more vulnerable to wander away to myths! Amen!!

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