Lectio Divina for the Thirty-second Week
in Ordinary Time
We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty and merciful God,
graciously keep from us all adversity,
so that, unhindered in mind and body alike,
we may pursue in freedom of heart
the things that are yours.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
(Collect, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times.
Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the
crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go
around in long robes and accept greetings in the
marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and
places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses
of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed
how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many
rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also
came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury. For
they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she
had, her whole livelihood.”
Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in
silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught
your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group,
after the reflection time, invite the participants to
share their responses.
Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to
the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that
the Word inspires in you.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
Read the Scripture again, followed by this
reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord
asking of me?
Beware of the scribes. What threatens my faith?
How can I combat these threats?
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers. When have I failed to act in
justice and charity toward my brothers and sisters?
How can I live my faith in greater integrity?
She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood. What can I give to God and
his Church? How can I respond more generously to
the needs around me?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion,
all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Closing Prayer:
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed
down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
Alleluia.
(From Psalm 146)
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Research your parish and diocesan social justice
efforts (e.g., Catholic Charities, Saint Vincent
dePaul Society, Legislative Action Network, etc.)
and prayerfully discern how you are called to be
engaged.
Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition ©
2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright
owner. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the
Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical
edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with
permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be
reproduced by any means without permission in writing from
the copyright owner.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal ©
2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy
Corporation. All rights reserved.