Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "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."
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. I believe that
you are here with me, within me as the life of my soul. I place all of my trust
in you, for without you I can do nothing. I love you. Thank you for revealing
your loving mercy to me. I offer you all I do in return.
Petition: Lord,
help me to be coherent and sincere in my decision to follow your will in my
life.
1. Religion
for Show: The Gospel passage presents us with the
stark contrast between the scribes and a poor widow. The scribes were driven by
appearances. They were slaves to their vanity. Their interior security lasted
only as long as praise flowed from the mouths of those around them. They were
more driven by the applause of men than the approval of God. Since their piety
was mere show, it left no deep mark in their soul and could not free them from
their disordered passions. Externally they appeared religious, but within they
were a seething mass of vice. In their greed, they “devoured the houses of
widows.” Is my piety for show or for God alone?
2. Generosity
Means Giving All: The poor widow went unnoticed by the
crowd, but Jesus saw her. While the rich made a great show of their gifts, she
had only two small coins to give. She quietly slipped in among the crowd,
seeking no one’s notice; but she was noticed by Christ. This is our choice: the
applause of men or the praise of God.
3. Drawing
Comparisons: Sometimes it is easy for us to get caught
up in what others have -- what they are doing or saying. We fall into the trap
of comparing ourselves with others, and probably most of the time we don’t
measure up! It causes nothing but anguish. Yet, God doesn’t compare us to
others. He loves us. He made us as we are, with our own unique combination of
talents and abilities. He measures our generosity not by what we give, but by
what we hold back for ourselves. Remember, the happiest are not those who have
everything but those who give everything they have.
Conversation
with Christ
Lord, help me to stop comparing myself to others. Help me to see the good
you want me to do today. Let me see the things I’m holding on to and that which
is keeping me from you. You have given me everything. I want to return your
gifts in full with interest.
Resolution: I will trust in
God’s providence and give him something today that I’ve been holding back.