First Reading

Reading from the second letter of the Apostle Saint Paul to Timothy

2 Timothy 4, 1-8

Beloved brother: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to come to judge the living and the dead, I earnestly urge you, by his coming and by his Kingdom, to proclaim the word; insist on it in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and wisdom.

For a time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but, driven by their own passions, will surround themselves with teachers who tickle their ears; they will turn a deaf ear to the truth and will listen only to fables.

You, however, be always prudent, endure sufferings, fulfill your work as an evangelizer, and carry out your ministry to perfection.

For me the hour of sacrifice has come, and the moment of my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now I only await the crown that is due, with which the Lord, the just judge, will reward me on that day, and not only me, but all those who await with love his glorious coming.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark

Mark 12, 38-44

At that time, Jesus was teaching the crowd and said to them: “Beware of the scribes! They love to walk about in long robes and receive greetings in the streets; they seek the places of honor in the synagogues and the best seats at banquets; they devour the property of widows while making a show of lengthy prayers. These will receive a very severe condemnation.”

On one occasion Jesus was sitting opposite the temple treasury, watching how the people put money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and put in two small coins of very little value. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said to them: “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For the others have contributed out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had to live on.”