Sunday 10 November 2024
"... This poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For 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.” (vs 43-44)
Background
Today’s reading comes at the end of a chapter (Mark 12) in which Jesus is challenged by, and challenges, the religious leaders of his day. A little earlier in the chapter one of those religious leaders said the heart of the law, best understood as ‘true religion’, is to love God and to love one’s neighbour. Jesus affirms him in this. So when we see Jesus criticising the scribes in today's reading (vs 38-39), he's not directing his criticism at every teacher of the law but rather those who enjoyed the honour accorded to them by others but who had actually missed the point.
Jesus’ accusation that the religious teachers of his day 'devoured widows’ houses' (v. 40) can hardly be applied to them all. Since the setting of our passage is in and around the Temple in Jerusalem it may be that his criticism was particularly aimed at those who continually sought funds for the Temple’s upkeep. Long prayers do not compensate for a lack of love.
In contrast to those who made money from the vulnerable, we go with Jesus to the offering box in the Temple. Giving to the Temple had acquired something of a celebrity status, with political credentials attached. Since the Temple lay at the heart of Jewish national hopes it did no harm to be seen to be generous. As we watch, Jesus comes alongside us and says “Don’t judge people by their celebrity status or the amount they give. Instead weigh your judgements on the scale of total risk taken.” He points us to an unknown widow. Normally she would not have been noticed but Jesus turns our response to people upside down. If we are to love God and love our neighbour, we need to see our neighbours as God sees them. The proof of our loving attitudes towards them will be found in our actions.
To Ponder:
- Who are the people that we are likely to overlook in our church or our community because they don’t appear to be particularly important?
- There’s an old song that sings “All that I have, I will give Jesus”. What does that mean for you?
Prayer
On this Remembrance Sunday we hold in God’s presence those for whom this day brings particularly difficult or poignant memories and we long and pray for the time when war shall be no more. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Donald Ker
Donald Ker is a supernumerary presbyter. Originally from Ireland, he now lives in the West Midlands.