Photo was taken at Flatanger, north west Norway

This seagull made sure it was having the piece of bread all by itself!

Thought on Sunday – November – 08/11/2015

Today’s reflection is by Jane Mellett called ‘Giving Everything’

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is courageously speaking out against the hypocrisy of the so-called ‘religious’ of his time. This passage is encouraging all his followers to engage in a reality check. The hypocrisy of the scribes is in total contrast to the humility and generosity of the widow in the second part of the Gospel. She gives not of what she has to spare, but everything she has. She is free. We don’t have to restrict this example to money either.

At the end of this month, a vitally important meeting is taking place in Paris called COP21. World leaders will gather to try to settle on a universal agreement on climate change action. It is a hugely difficult task; one that has not been achieved before. We are asked to pray and to continue to put pressure on our governments to take real action on climate change. The widow gave her all in the Gospel today and we are challenged to model her behaviour rather than the behaviour of the ‘elite’ of the opening verses.

‘The idea of infinite or unlimited growth is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods, and this leads to the planet being squeezed dry at every limit. Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.’

~ Pope Francis, from Laudato Si