Word to the Wise
Sunday, November 7, 2021 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[1 Kgs 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44][Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many people put int 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 all the other contributions 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]
Widows figure prominently in the scriptures for this Sunday. The first scripture from 1 Kings features the widow of Zarephath, whom Jesus would mention favorably in his inaugural appearance in Nazareth [Luke 4:25-26]. The gospel scripture, from the Gospel According to Mark speaks of widows as victims of unscrupulous scribes and then of the poor widow who contributes her last coin to the temple treasury. [cf. also Luke 21-1-4]
It is important to remember that widows were considered among the most vulnerable persons in the society of Jesus' time and for centuries before and after. In the male-dominated society of Jesus' time (and in much of the Middle East still), a woman without a husband, father or son to take care of her and defend her was considered truly poor. If she was widowed and childless, she had to return to her family of origin. The stories of Naomi and Ruth [Ruth 1] and the scene at the foot of the cross when Jesus entrusts his widowed [and soon childless] mother to the Beloved Disciple [John 19:25-27] would be examples. The concern of the early Christian community for widows [Acts 6:1] shows that widows were considered subjects for charity. Thus, the generosity of the widow of Zarephath and the poor widow at the temple treasury is truly deep. They both gave all they could possibly give.
I have listened to students returning from "mission trips" speak of the incredible generosity of the poor families they visit. It leaves them [the students] pondering about their own generosity and how they care for those less fortunate. Most of us will not be called on to give our last penny to help someone else. We'd like to think we are motivated enough by our faith to do that, but .... We may never be in the desperate situation of the widows in today's scriptures, but they challenge us to remember and respond. How deep is our own generosity when it comes to time, treasure and talent? AMEN