First Reading
1 Kings 17:10-16

1. The widow is asked to give away the last bits of flour reserved for her final meal. As a result, she receives a jar of flour that doesn’t ever go empty. But she didn’t know that when she gave her last bits away. What kind of a leap of faith would such an action require? Is there any way you can relate to this situation?

2. God rewarded the widow in this reading. Are there usually rewards for helping others? How does one develop a habit of giving? On a scale of one to ten, rate your ability to give?

Second Reading
Hebrews 9:24-28

1. Two widows make sacrifices, one in the First Reading and one in the Gospel. Compare Christ’s sacrifice with these.

2. What did God the Father give away?

 








Gospel
Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

1. Why would the widow give her last coins away? Does the comment Jesus makes explain why? Can you do what she did? How close can you come?

2. Teaching his disciples how to give from the heart, Jesus points out the widow’s poverty. In discussing a crisis of values Pope Francis repeats his call for Catholics to seek out those on the fringes of society, like the widow in the story, who need help the most. Are you called to action when you hear about starving people needing food or homeless people needing shelter? What can you do?

If we step outside of ourselves, we will find poverty, … 
Today, and it breaks my heart to say it, finding a homeless person who has died of cold, is not news. Today, the news is scandals, that is news, but the many children who don't have food—that's not news. This is grave. We can't rest easy while things are this way. … We cannot become starched Christians, too polite, who speak of theology calmly over tea. We have to become courageous Christians and seek out those (who need help most). …

This is happening today. If investments in banks fall, it is a tragedy and people say ‘what are we going to do?’ but if people die of hunger, have nothing to eat or suffer from poor health, that’s nothing. This is our crisis today. A Church that is poor and for the poor has to fight this mentality.

Pope Francis Insists Church Must Help Poor,
Not 'Speak Of Theology' 05/18/2013

Anne Osdieck