Do Good

Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you. Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness.  Tobit 12:7-8

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.  Mark 12:42-43

Piety

Chapter 7: On Humility

The eighth degree of humility
is that a monk do nothing except what is commended
by the common Rule of the monastery
and the example of the elders. (RSB)

Study

In the fashion of a wise teacher teaching wisdom, Raphael gives the two men in today’s first reading a short exhortation similar to the one Tobit gave his son.  Rather than using words, Jesus uses the poor widow as a living proof of almsgiving based upon righteous.

What is righteousness?  You will know it when you see it.  “For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

Is it any wonder that St. Benedict also teachings by pointing to the example of the elder monks of the monastery? 

Action

Who is your example?  Who is the light shining on a hill that inspires your walk?  Who is your poor widow?

Maybe a more important question is "For whom are you an example of faith-in-action?  For whom do you play the poor widow?"