Mama Monday #24
38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
41 Jesus
sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the
crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in
large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two
very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling
his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has
put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They
all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in
everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark
12:38-44 The Message
38-40 He
continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk
around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking
in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. And
all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their
prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.” 41-44 Sitting across from the
offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the
collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow
came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his
disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the
collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll
never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”
Mark
12:38-44– First Nations Translation
During his
teachings he said, “Be on the lookout for the scroll keepers who like to show
off by walking around in their fancy regalia, who want to be noticed at the
trading posts, who take the best seats at the gathering houses and the places
of honor at the feasts. With many words they make a big show of their prayers,
and trick widows into giving them their homes and possessions. They will come
to a worse end than others.
Creator Sets
Free (Jesus) found a place to sit across from the storehouse of the sacred
lodge. He watched as people came to put their gifts on the offering blanket.
The ones with the many possessions were putting down more than others. Then he
saw a poor widow come to the blanket and place two small poorly beaded earrings
on it, worth almost nothing.
He gathered his
followers around him and told them about the widow’s gift. “I speak from my
heart; this widow has given more than all the others. What they gave was only a
small part of their many possessions, but this poor widow has given all she had
left to live on.”
Lectio Reflections on Mark 12:38-44
The widow’s offering
is a powerful snapshot
into a life of dependence.
When basic needs are not met,
It’s hard to focus beyond oneself.
But this woman gave
extravagantly.
She gave her all-
with no strings attached.
with ALL our hearts, minds, souls, and strength,
we might think we have nothing left to give.
But that’s exactly where God wants us…
When we are emptied,
God will provide what’s needed
for us to love our neighbors.
Jesus comes again and again
to bind up the brokenhearted
and to set the captive free.
This story is a reminder of
God’s upside-down kingdom.
Things are not as they seem.
We get confused
and think that people with power
have the blessing.
But God’s blessing rests on
those who are poor.
who was connected to God
and to His overflowing abundance.
This story shows us how Jesus
saw this women and
remembered her small offering.
And we too are invited
to pay attention
and to see differently.
opportunities to give today
with no strings attached.
May we be fully present
to the people before us.
And may we live
in dependence
on God who alone
can fill us up to overflowing
so that we can love
extravagantly.
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