32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B:  November 11, 2012

First Reading: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition adapted by Jewell Reinhart Coburn

(Written for ages 8-12)

Comment: “She said to her, ‘All that you tell me I will do.’”According to Marcia Mount Shoop, “Ruth is a model of a way of life, which is what allows her a way in and a way toward acceptance in the covenant community.”  (Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 4, p 270) Ruth’s character remains unshaken through so much loss and change. Her faithfulness to Naomi helps to secure her future. Domitila also has an unshaken character. Though she endures loss and hardship, she remains faithful to the wisdom of her mother by remembering to “do every task with care, and always add a generous dash of love.” In the end her faithfulness to her mother’s words secures her future and the future of her children.

Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

The Hunter: A Chinese Folktale retold by Mary Casanova

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “…he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.” In his commentary on this text, Thomas G. Long talks about the way the text describes Jesus’ crucifixion, not in a historically factual manner, but in speaking of “what it means for the world and the human heart that Jesus died.” (Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 4, p 278) Christ’s death changes our relationship with God and one another once and for all, inviting us to live into the grace that has already been given. An enduring sacrifice that changes hearts can also be explored in The Hunter. Hai Li Bu sacrifices his own life to save the lives of his fellow villagers. His sacrifice changes the character of the people forever.

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:38-44

Rosie and the Poor Rabbits by Maryann Macdonald

(Written for ages 3-7)

Comment: “…all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” This text provides a wonderful opportunity for conversations surrounding the spirit of giving. It gives us the opportunity to wonder together with children what inspires us to share and what we are willing to give. It also allows us to explore the difference between giving motivated by duty and giving motivated by the heart. In Macdonald’s story, Rosie learns about giving when she meets another rabbit who can’t afford a beautiful cupcake like the one Mama buys her. Encouraged to give some of her things away, Rosie first digs through her room choosing items that are shiny and new, but have little personal value to her. In the end she dreams of the rabbit receiving what she has to share, and decides to give away her most precious, beloved things.

The Lectionary Links this week are written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, November 11, 2012 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.