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Columba Comments...
Short reflections written by members of our
congregation
8 November 2009
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Scripture: Mark 12: 38-44
Exploration
The two stories in
today’s gospel are linked by one word –widow. On the one hand, the
scribes exploit the vulnerable behind a façade of prayer and piety,
and on the other hand, a poor widow demonstrates real piety by
generous giving. The contrast between the scribe’s prayer and action
is sharp—they ‘pretend’ to pray, but their lives don’t match their
piety. Do we pretend to pray when our lives don’t match our prayers?
The scribes will get a greater judgment, because they should know
better. Now we know better, don’t we. Will our judgment be greater?
In every code except the Hebrew, the widow has rights of inheritance
but in Hebrew law she is completely ignored. One reason for this
strange neglect may be the Hebrew belief that death before old age
was a calamity, a judgment for sin which was extended to the wife
that was left. It was therefore a disgrace to be a widow (Ruth
1:20-21). So it is easy for the scribes to exploit them. Ruth rises
above this, and acts in faith, being rewarded with marriage and a
new family.
The widow placed two lepta in the treasury—8 lepta make a cent. She
could have given one and kept the other, a generous giving of 50%.
It is a mistake to think 10% belongs to God—100% belongs to God.
Jesus condemns the scribes for wearing long robes, sitting in the
places of honour, making a show. Don’t our ordained leaders do the
same? What is wrong with that?
The chief purpose of the widow is as a model of discipleship. No
gift, whether of money, time, or talent, is too insignificant to
give, if it is given to God
We don’t have to buy God’s approval. We discover in Hebrews that
Jesus has won God’s approval once and for all. There is nothing more
we can do to add to that.
Questions for Reflection
- When we pray for church growth and don’t invite others, is
that pretend prayer?
- When we give out of our abundance, it doesn’t cost us
anything. What would be a costly level of giving?
- The widow gave her whole living, equivalent to her whole life.
Is that what God is calling us to do?
- How do you try to win God’s approval? Do you need to?
- Ruth rose above social condemnation and gave her all to
another man and another culture. Could you make such a change?
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