November
12, 2000
Mark 12:38-44
[Jesus] continued teaching. "Watch out for the religion scholars.
They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance
of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at
the head table at every church function. And all the time they
are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers,
the worse they get. But they'll pay for it in the end."
Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the
crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were
making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in
two small coins -- a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples
over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more
to the collection than all the others put together. All the others
gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she
couldn't afford -- she gave her all."
"THE MESSAGE"
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1.
November and Springtime are two typical times for emphasizing
giving. Many church pledge and other contributions are solicited.
The two small coins, giving one's all, is often a theme which
is used to elicit more generous giving than simply indicating
the need. One might make the point of focus on where Jesus focuses.
There is the "crowd" and there is "one poor widow."
The issue is not what "everyone is doing" but on what
"I" am doing. This is a hard teaching. We are not comparing
amounts, we are measuring participation in life. So, how's your
participation level?
2.
One of the amazing things is the way in which the poor widow supports
an institution we have just been told is corrupt at its highest
levels. In a sense the widow supports an institution which not
only disenfranchises her, but in which she is invisible. She gives
her all. In this way she is an embodiment of Jesus. The institution
will eventually "pay" by falling, but the faithful will
be rewarded by being raised up. The contrast here is with such
images as a little leaven raises much otherwise dead dough.
3.
Finally we get back to the starting point of Jesus' teaching.
Those who "know" religion best, seem to be the least
capable of "living" it. e.e. cummings put it this way
when he wrote modern culture using such as wheel mines and Santa
Claus: We are all so full of knowing that we are empty, empty
of understanding.
A prayer. Please, GOD, may we not only have the gift of seeing
ourselves as others see us, but the gift to live our lives as
you see us. Amen.