Just Actions

Actions matter to God.

As Jesus 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

What should happen to this widow?

Will her action result in an abundance of wealth? Will God have mercy on her and reward her? Or will she die?

Jesus uses her as an example of faith, but she could be giving up on God and God's people, offering the last of her money to help others because she has been abandoned.

It is sad. The Treasury is for people like her, widows, and orphans in need of support, and yet it has failed her. Even though it has failed her, she has hope that it will help someone else.

We talk a great deal about institutional racism, saying that these forms of neglect and abuse are built into our institutions with purpose and intent. We built them the way they are to perpetuate the oppression of a people. Is that what is happening here, in Ancient Jerusalem?

Was God's Temple built to oppress people?

Some might say it was since it was an exclusionary design. Each court as you went in excluded another group, from Gentiles to Women to non-clergy.

Would training have changed their viewpoints?

I doubt it. So, what does Jesus expect us to do with this knowledge of the old widow?

Maybe nothing. Maybe we are just supposed to stop and think about what we do and whether we are just in our actions.

More to come...