Widow's Mite

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." (Mark 12:38-44)

Gospel readings usually are connected to the Old Testament reading on any given day.  For example, today’s first reading is from 1 Kings (17:10-16).  It reads:

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."  She left to get it, and he called out after her, "Please bring along a bit of bread." 

She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die." 

Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.  Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" 

She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Jesus’ poor widow and Elijah’s widow and her son have something in common.  The widows gave what little they had whether small coins or a handful of flour.  How many of us would do the same?  Or, do we only give from our surplus wealth?  Frankly, while the widows’ contributions were very admirable, one should not dismiss the generosity of those who do give from their surplus.  

It’s those who won’t give anything to the poor and disadvantaged that should bother us especially those who “devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.”  They are the hypocrites whom Jesus severely condemns.

Deacon David Pierce