Newsletter - 10 November
In this Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 12: 41-44), Jesus tells us that the benchmark is not quantity but fullness. There is a difference between quantity and fullness. You can have a lot of money and still be empty. There is no fullness in your heart. It is not a matter of the wallet but of the heart. To love God “with all your heart” means to trust in him, in his providence, and to serve him in the poorest brothers and sisters without expecting anything in return.
Allow me to tell you a story, which happened in my previous Diocese. A mother and her three children were at the table, the father was at work. They were eating Milan-style cutlets.... There was a knock at the door and one of the children — they were young, 5, 6 and the oldest was 7 — comes and says: “Mom, there is a beggar asking for something to eat.” And the mom, a good Christian, asks them: “What shall we do?” — “Let’s give him something, mom…” – “Ok”. She takes her fork and knife and cuts the cutlets in half. “Ah no, mom, no! Not like this! Take something from the fridge.” — “No! Let’s make three sandwiches with this!” The children learned that true charity is given, not with left overs, but with what we need. That afternoon I am sure that the children were a bit hungry....
Faced with the needs of our neighbours, we are called — like these children and the halved cutlets — to deprive ourselves of essential things, not only the superfluous. We are called to give the time that is necessary, not only what is extra. We are called to give immediately and unconditionally some of our talent, not after using it for our own purposes or for our own group.
Let us ask the Lord to admit us to the school of this poor widow, whom Jesus places in the temple and presents as a teacher of the living Gospel. Through the intercession of Mary, the poor woman who gave her entire life to God for us, let us ask for a heart that is poor, but rich in glad and freely given generosity.
Extract of Pope Francis’ homily
(8th of November 2015)
Focus of the Week
SICK & RETIRED PRIESTS’ FUND
16/17 November
By supporting the Sick & Retired Priests’ Fund, you can help cover essential costs and give them peace of mind that in the event of an emergency, their needs will be met.
You will find a donation envelope in the entrance hall today. Please take one home, and bring it back next weekend with your donation. You can also donate online www.rcdow.org.uk/donations