1. 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”(Mk12:38-44). Taken from today’s Sunday gospel.
2. When on 15th April 73 AD, more than 800 Jews: men, women and children committed mass suicide at the fortress of Masada so as not to become slaves to Romans, they were all animated by one thought: that God will never forget the sacrifices they made in defense of their belief that God alone is the supreme being and that he alone must the Jews serve and no other. Masada has today become a natural park that hosts thousands of tourists every year. At the hall that recounts the bravery of the heroes of Masada is written clearly: The State of Israel will never forget!
3. If we bring this to today’s gospel one should ask: what makes a poor widow give all that she has to live on? The answer is simple. She believes that God, the provider of all good things will never forget the sacrifice she has made because of her faith. She has a firm trust that God is to be trusted to do his part if we have done our own. The gospel begins by Jesus’ condemnation of those who show off in the house of God, saying long prayers, taking places of honour and possibly making public donations to show that they are close to God. These are bad examples of disciples as far as Jesus is concerned.
4. Jesus who asked his followers not to make public show of their generosity, not letting their right hand know what their left hand is giving had to sit right in front of the offertory box to observe how people make their offering. He noticed that many of the rich made big offerings, an indication that almost everyone makes a show of what he/ she was giving. Apart from the rich he also noticed a poor widow who gave just very little. Jesus who knew the heart of all was so impressed by the widow’s offering that it became a point of teaching for him. He told his followers that even though the widow has given so little, she gave more than every other person because she gave all that she had to live on while others gave from their surpluses.
5. The issue here is not just about her gift but rather about her faith that giving means receiving, that no one can be more generous than God, that God can be trusted to keep his word. It is this faith that Jesus praises. It is the same faith that will make Jesus to sacrifice all that he has including his own life because he knows that God will never forget. Today many people suspect God of not being able to fulfill his promises. They go to Church but they prefer to amasse wealth rather than give to those in need. Most people today are worse than Dives, the rich man who could not notice the poor hungry Lazarus at his gate because he has accumulated so much riches and has become insensitive to the needs of those around him.
6. You must not be like them. If you are blessed with worldly riches do not place your trust in them. Do not stock them in coffers where they would seem secure. Do not continue to invest only in estates. Invest also in people. Create employment not just investment. Distribute what you have and you will never lack. Remember that you have only few years to go. Like the widow of zarephath who welcome and fed the Prophet Elijah with her last flour and oil and ended up having her flour and oil multiplied you should never stop giving and trusting God’s providence. God will never forget all that you have done and continue to do for your brothers and sisters in humanity (Heb6:10). If you are not yet blessed with material wealth you too have your own obligation to give. You do not really need to be rich before you can become generous. The widows in the first reading and the gospel were not rich. Give and there will be gifts for you (Lk6:38). ©Vita, 07/11/21.
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