Replies

From: Mark 12:38-44

Jesus Censures the Scribes

[38] And in His (Jesus') teaching He said, "Beware of the scribes, who
like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market
places [39] and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of
honor at feasts, [40] who devour widow's houses and for a pretense make
long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

The Widow's Mite

[41] And He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude
putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
[42] And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a
penny. [43] And He called His disciples to Him, and said to them,
"Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those
who are contributing to the treasury. [44] For they all contributed
out of their abundance; but she out of he r poverty has put in
everything she had, her whole living."

Commentary:

38-40. Our Lord reproves disordered desire for human honors: "We should
notice that salutations in the marketplace are not forbidden, nor
people taking the best seats if that befits their position; rather, the
faithful are warned to avoid, as they would evil men, those who set too
much store by such honors" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio,
in loc."). See also notes on Matthew 23:2-3, 5, 11 and 14.

41-44. Our Lord uses this little event to teach us the importance of
things which apparently are insignificant. He puts it somewhat
paradoxically; the poor widow has contributed more than all the rich.
In God's sight the value of such an action lies more in upright
intention and generosity of spirit than in the quantity one gives.
"Didn't you see the light in Jesu s' eyes as the poor widow left her
little alms in the temple? Give Him what you can: the merit is not in
whether it is big or small, but in the intention with which you give
it" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 829).

By the same token, our actions are pleasing to God even if they are not
as perfect as we would like. St. Francis de Sales comments: "Now as
among the treasures of the temple, the poor widow's mite was much
esteemed, so the least little good works, even though performed
somewhat coldly and not according to the whole extent of the charity
which is in us, are agreeable to God, and esteemed by Him; so that
though of themselves they cannot cause and increase in the existing
love [...] yet Divine Providence, counting on them and, out of His
goodness, valuing them, forthwith rewards them with increase in charity
for the present, and assigns to them a greater Heavenly glory for the
future" (St. Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", Book 3,
Chapter 2).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Boniface was born in England around the year 673. As a young
man, he joined the Benedictines at the monastery of Exeter. As a
monk Boniface wrote the first Latin grammar book to be produced in
England and penned some poetry. At the age of thirty, Boniface was
ordained to the priesthood and used a vast knowledge of Scripture to
help his preaching and teaching.

Around the year 719 Boniface had the opportunity to become abbot
of the monastery. Instead of pursuing this, Boniface traveled to
Rome and placed himself in the service of the pope as a missionary.
The pope sent Boniface to preach in Germany, to convert pagans to
the Faith and to reform corrupt practices being practiced among the
clergy already in this area.

Boniface spent the rest of his life preaching, converting and teaching
throughout Germany. He founded dioceses, monasteries, and
churches and reformed many practices of the Church in Germany.
Boniface was a fearless preacher and challenged the practices of the
pagans to show their emptiness and worthlessness. Boniface was
martyred, with a group of thirty companions around the year 754
after angering a group of violent pagans. He is considered the
"apostle of Germany" for his efforts at evangelization there.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

One just soul can attain pardon for a thousand sinners. -St Margaret Mary
Alacoque

TODAY IN HISTORY

754 Boniface and his party are murdered
1510 Michelangelo commissioned to make 15 statues of saints for the Duomo of
Siena, Italy

TODAY'S TIDBIT

Conscience is practical judgment concerning the moral goodness or
sinfulness of an action. Many philosophers hold that a moral decision
can be evaluated through the examination of the action itself, the
circumstances around the action and the intention of the person
performing the action.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray through the intercession of St. Boniface for the success
of missionaries.