32B21.    1 Kings 17:10-16.  During the time of a great drought, Elijah, the great prophet, went into pagan territory and called on a poverty stricken widow, first to give him “a small cupful of water,” and then “a bit of bread.” She told Elijah that she had only enough for her and her son’s last meal and then they would die.  Elijah assured her that “the jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry,” until the drought ended.  In her simplicity she put herself in hands of Lord and the Lord provided.

Mark 12:38-44.  Jesus condemns the scribes for whom religion was all about what they could get for themselves but he commends the poor widow who gave all she could to the Lord in whom she put her trust.  She was virtually giving herself to the Lord.  She and the widow in the first reading lived their lives in hands of the Lord.

Hebrews 9:24-26.  Jesus is the eternal high priest who offered up himself to give us the opportunity to gain heaven and still appears before God the Father on our behalf.  He “will appear a second time” “to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.”  Jesus still lives for us who live for him.