38 As he taught them, he said, “Watch out for the kind of Torah-teachers who like to walk around in robes and be greeted deferentially in the marketplaces, 39 who like to have the best seats in the synagogues and take the places of honor at banquets, 40 who like to swallow up widows’ houses while making a show of davvening at great length. Their punishment will be all the worse!”
41 Then Yeshua sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the crowd as they put money into the offering-boxes. Many rich people put in large sums, 42 but a poor widow came and put in two small coins. 43 He called his talmidim to him and said to them, “Yes! I tell you, this poor widow has put more in the offering-box than all the others making donations. 44 For all of them, out of their wealth, have contributed money they can easily spare; but she, out of her poverty, has given everything she had to live on.”
[Complete Jewish Bible]The first verses of this passage point out our human need to be significant. What are some of the differences between things in our lives that have authentic enduring significance and those things that only have conspired or imagined significance? None of us willfully seeks to live in a way that leads to greater condemnation. But do we hear Jesus' words in this gospel reading as speaking to any of our habits? Who in your life of faith has called on you to reflect on whether what we say really matters is in alignment with how we actually live our lives? Such people are blessings even if it is uncomfortable for us to acknowledge their constructive criticism. May our eyes be opened to the persons God has placed in our paths to model faith and to speak to the ways we ourselves model faith in our own lives.
Lord of all, our desire for approval and acclaim sometimes cloud our good judgment. Attend to our spirits and nurture in us an earnest desire for your will above the other wills that wrestle for our attention. Amen.
Russell Britton
Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, Colo.
Master of Divinity , 2014
Mark 12:38 As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,
39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!
40 They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.
43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.
44 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."[New Revised Sandard Version]
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