St Joseph’s Church Mt Beauty [email protected]www.wodongacatholicparish.com.au Including Bethanga, Dederang, Mt Beauty and Tangambalanga Communities Words of Pope Francis True justice comes about in people’s lives when they themselves are just in their decisions; it is expressed in their pursuit of justice for the poor and the weak. While it is true that the word “justice” can be a synonym for faithfulness to God’s will in every aspect of our life, if we give the word too general a meaning, we forget that it is shown especially in justice towards those who are most vulnerable: “Seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Is 1:17). Pope Francis, Gaudete Et Exsultate (2018) para 79 Focus on the Readings: Elijah’s numerous adventures: disputes with and denouncements by the king and queen, battles with the priests of baal, prophesies of drought and famine and: today’s miracle of the widow’s flour and oil and later the revival of the widow’s son and triumphs over his enemies are more to do with faith than any show of marvellous acts. He placed his trust in God and was able to convince the pagan woman from Zarephath to do the same. He recognised her destitution (wearing the widow’s clothes) and poverty (collecting sticks, lack of food) and responded in God’s name. She was a victim of natural disasters (drought and famine) and social structures (the kings actions and stigmatisation by the people). Elijah was able to bring God’s mercy and help to her. A similar but different scenario was played out in today’s Gospel. Jesus entry into Jerusalem provided several opportunities to stand and teach in the Temple. Like Elijah he noticed a poor woman in widow’s clothing offering her meagre resources to the temple treasury. Like the Zarephath woman, a widow, and so a victim of unjust social structures she gave generously and put her trust in God to supply her needs. Injustices of King Ahab and Jezebel, the elders and leaders remind us of Jesus’ words then and also in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Because the Father recognises in the poor and humble an image of this Son, his eyes rest on them with such benevolence and joy.
10.30am: Jacinta Bartlett, Dianne King, Ken Fuchsen, Gabrielle Radcliffe, Yves or Edwidge
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
MT BEAUTY ROSTERS: 18TH NOVEMBER
ALTAR SERVERS Peter, Michael, David.
Lector 1: Fiona Barret
Lector 2: Marg Ware
ALTAR SERVERS Edward, Henry, Jess,
Mac, Oliver, Billy, Tommy
Lector 1: Barry Jackson
Lector 2: Kate Rotherham
ALTAR SERVERS Honorina, Eliza
Lector 1: Ampy Clark
Lector 2: Pt Oliver
Readings this week
1 Kings 17:10-16
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
Readings next week: Daniel 12:1-3
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32
Responsorial Psalm: Praise the Lord, my soul!
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the poor in spirit; the kingdom of
heaven is theirs. Alleluia!
Prayer of the Faithful: Lord, hear our prayer!
In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes,
to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets;
these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’ He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury,
and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny.
Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed
to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed,
