32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, B November 7, 2021
Fr. Albert St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
“What can I possibly offer? I don’t have much money, influence, or talent, what difference will it make?” Have you ever asked yourself that question? Maybe when you read some bad news or perhaps when challenged to serve our community or God’s Church? I know I have. I think most people face some version of that doubt.
Well, then I have good news. Jesus doesn’t care how successful your efforts are, he only cares that you give what you do have. “This poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury… she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Often called “the widow’s mite,” this lesson is all too easily forgotten in a society filled with nonstop news about powerful politicians, world-famous celebrities, and obscenely wealthy business owners. Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have given away tens of billions of dollars. Some pro football players give away thousands of meals on Thanksgiving. Legislators, Presidents and Prime Ministers constantly talk about… and sometimes actually enact good policies in pursuit of justice and peace.
Yet, in most cases, the rich remain rich, the famous famous, the powerful powerful. Their lifestyles hardly change, if at all. They remain comfortable, rich, powerful, and famous. Don’t get me wrong, we should commend them and encourage them continue their good work, but Jesus is pretty clear here. The numbers aren’t what matters. What matters is that we give ourselves.
Our second reading talks about the Jewish high priest who “enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own” precisely to make the point that that offering does not save us from our sins. No, what saves us is that Jesus Christ entered into heaven to “offer himself,” to offer his own blood, so that he could “take away sin by his sacrifice.”
This is the difference. The rich and powerful who use some fraction of their wealth and power are not giving themselves… it hardly affects them. But when the poor give of what little they have, they feel it’s effects, they suffer the lack, they are giving of themselves because they have nothing else to give.
Every once in a while, we see this self-gift even among the rich and powerful. There are a number of kings and queens in history who died as martyrs or who “squandered” all of their wealth and influence to serve their people. These saints are not greater because they had more to give, but because simply because they gave all they had. And still, most would agree that the greatest saints were the ones who never had much, but always gave what little they had: saints like Therese of Lisieux, Francis of Assisi, Jean Vianney, Padre Pio… Joseph and Mary above all.
In our own diocese, there is a cause to canonize a simple man, a witness to the power of simply giving oneself. Auguste Pelafigue – usually called “Nonco” – lived in Arnaudville from 1888 to 1977. Although well-educated and capable, he was never rich or famous or powerful. He spent all his time praying, teaching, and encouraging others to pray and live out our Catholic faith. He was constantly generous despite living in a very meager home and he never liked any attention. But rain or shine, he would visit others, encouraging them to attend Mass, teaching them about the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and praying with them. Now, many touched by his life testify that he was most likely a living saint. And the Church may well canonize him eventually.
To be a saint. That is the meaning of life. It is the way to true happiness. We celebrated All Saints Day this past week to honor those who lived that truth and to remind ourselves that we are all called to a life of holiness. Greatness, Happiness, Holiness… for followers of Jesus Christ, these are all found in the same way: through a gift of yourself.
And when what we have to give is small, we need not fear. The widow in our first reading gave her last bit of bread to the prophet. She figured she would probably starve and die either way, so she might as well end with an act of charity towards God’s messenger. Yet, her gift provided not only for the prophet, but herself and her child. Your small gifts may not seem like they will make a difference, but when done with love and faith, they are multiplied in many, often hidden ways.
So, what do you have to give? Are you giving of yourself, or merely tossing out the extra time, money, effort, or talents? This week marks National Vocation Awareness week, where the Church puts particular focus on God’s call to us. All of us are called to love and to give of ourselves, but we focus this week on God’s call to young men and women to serve him in priesthood and the religious life.
Are you young and still figuring out what to do with your life? Consider the religious life – nuns, brothers, sisters, monks. Consider the priesthood. The happiest people I know are priests and religious – nuns and sisters especially. I love being a priest and, for those who are called, it is a tremendous gift. Do not focus on your limitations – God can overcome and work through them if you give with love. The question of vocation is not “can I do this?” but “is God asking me to do it?” Because if God is calling you, He will make your gift super-valuable, even if you feel like your abilities aren’t worth more than a few pennies.
For those of you widowed, married, or living through various difficulties, give of yourself where you are. Through prayer for priests – I know I need it – prayer for vocations, and through your support for those pursing their vocation. Most people want more priests and nuns, but far too many don’t want their own sons or daughters to become one. How many times I have grieved to hear a young man or woman say their parents opposed their vocation or thought it a “waste!” Is anything given to God a waste? In 10000 years, what will it matter if your daughter was the best doctor in the world or the first president? But it will matter if they were consecrated to Christ as his bride and servant.
What can you possibly offer? Ultimately, only yourself. Like Jesus Christ, the true high priest, what we must offer is ourselves, our own blood. Through time, money, prayer, or even your children, you have something to offer. The question is, will you give it now? Or refuse and lose it in the end anyway? What difference can it make? For the souls of others, more than you realize. And for your own soul, an eternal one.