Cashing Out
Sometimes we may think we are doing enough, but we may be coming up short.
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, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.' He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 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. 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.' - Mark 12:38-44
I have heard a few different takes on today's Gospel reading, focusing on either the scribes or the widow, and each one has merit.
Jesus warns of the scribes who seek honor and respect while putting on the appearance of caring for the widows who lose their homes. It is the Temple Treasury that is supposed to provide for the widows and orphans, all who have no means of support.
Women were at the mercy of the men in their lives, and when there were no men to provide for them, their future was grim.
The poor widow gave all she had. It was such a small sum, it is clear she has reached the end of her rope. Without help, she will die. So, as one stands at the entrance to the Temple demanding respect for his position, a woman he could help comes to cash out.
Do you think he even notices?
The juxtaposition of these two images is important. Jesus wants us to look in the mirror and see what we see. Are we like the scribe?
What is so upsetting about the widow is that she is giving up. Yes, she has contributed all she has, and that is a sign that we can do more as well, but it is still a bad omen for her and for society in general.
So long as there are people who give up, we will have failed to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Truly, the scribe loved himself, but he failed to love her. If he did, he would have stopped her from giving to the Treasury and would have given money to her instead.
We can come up with hundreds of reasons to avoid helping people in need, especially if we focus on judging them, but this is not about judgment of others. It is about judging ourselves.
It bothers me that Jesus didn't help that woman. And I think that is how he wants us to feel. If he should have done something, what about us?
More to come...