Word to the Wise
Saturday, June 10, 2017 - Saturday in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
[Tob 12:1, 5-15, 20 and Mark 12:38-44][Jesus] 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 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." [Mark]
Part of modern Catholic campus ministry is what is known as the "mission trip." Once or twice during the academic year, groups of students will travel to a "mission territory" either abroad or here in America. The trip will involve helping to repair or build homes or assist in medical care, etc. They usually come back very sobered by the poverty and deprivation endured by the people they meet. But time and time again, they mention how moved they were by the generosity of the poorest of the poor. The contrast between the campus lifestyle "bubble" and the continuing struggle of the poor is stark.
That contrast is at work in the scene from the Gospel According to Mark in today's gospel scripture. The rich come and contribute much more than the widow could ever imagine, but their contribution is from a surplus of wealth. Some scripture scholars have pointed out the difference would be noted in the metal, horn-shaped receptacle for contributions. The "big donors" would make a much louder sound than the two small coins of the widow. The students I mentioned above would experience the contrast. They come from the relatively affluent university environment where they do not have to struggle for daily food, and they come at their own expense. I don't want to criticize their efforts. The poor families they encounter, however, will share whatever food they have in the house, no matter how small.
It may be that the evangelist is suggesting that the widow is a sign of the generosity that Jesus would show in his passion, death and resurrection which would occur soon after this scene. But I believe the scene can stand on its own as a reminder to us that generosity makes a bigger sound when it comes from our last cent! AMEN
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