Good afternoon,
Tuesday of Holy Week
" 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 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 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 12:41-44 ( RSV )
Mark is the earliest of the Gospels written. Matthew and Luke included many stories from Mark , and remembered other stories that they wrote down in their biography. Luke also includes this story of the poor widow.
Jesus calls the disciples over, and says look at this. Look at all the people donating money. What did they see, before Jesus explained the situation ? What does it mean to give out of our abundance or from our poverty ? Some interpreters say that Jesus is calling out the system that forced a woman to give everything to feel secure in God's love. He was being compassionate to her that she had nothing left over.
As we live in this locked down state, what are you seeing? What is positive or negative about all of this ? What is Jesus calling us to see and do ?
Prayer from poet Mary Oliver:
Praying
It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention , then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway
into thanks and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
Compassion and grace as we walk together into life and faith.
Fred
Ponder Anew 