The Holy Priest-Martyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra; the Holy Martyr Agathangel (both 286-305); Blessed Vincent Levoniuk and His Twelve Companions: Nykyta Hrytsiuk, Ivan Andreychuk, Constantine Boyko, Michael Vavryshchuk, Onuphriy Vasyliuk, Philip Kyryliuk, Maxim Havryliuk, Daniel Karmashchuk, Constantine Lukashchuk, Bartholomew Osypiuk, Luke Boyko and Ignatius Franchuk; Martyred at Pratulin (1871); Passing into Eternal Life (1952) of Blessed Olimpia Bida, Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and Martyr
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1 Peter 4:12-5:5; Mark 12:38-44
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
How do I avoid acting like the “teachers of the law” and instead behave like the widow that Jesus’ praises? Perhaps the key is in Jesus’ concluding remark about her – “she put in everything – all she had to live on.” Like most people who write these reflections, I’m a member of the clergy. I actually wear a flowing robe and am often greeted with respect. If I go to a church function, I’m given a nice place and a free meal. I like long prayers, and I should set an example of prayer, so that’s another danger. And as for devouring widow’s houses…God forbid, and punish me accordingly!
The key is that concern for reputation never really ends up serving the kingdom of God. How do Christians stay faithful to Christ, and serving his people rather than using them? By giving God everything we have to live on. If I’m living on reputation, on the high from greetings, respect, and a prominent place at a banquet, then as soon as the going gets tough, I’ll begin to look at the meagre resources of the poor as if they are mine by right. But if we live for the REAL treasure, the pearl of great price, the one worth selling everything for (both material things, and the immaterial stuff, like ego and reputation), then we too may hear the approving voice of Christ, because we’ll be giving out of our poverty – and that’s the gift that Christ can really do something with.