READINGS

• • ·       Hebrews 9:24–28

    ²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the holy place year after year with blood that is not his own, ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once and after that the judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

     

    ·       Mark 12:38–44

    ³⁸ As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces ³⁹ and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! ⁴⁰ They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

    ⁴¹ He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³ 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. ⁴⁴ 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.”

     

     

    SERMON

    Today’s Gospel reading brings us two stories from Jesus about wealth and how it is used. This passage follows the triumphal entry by Jesus into Jerusalem in Mark’s Gospel. Once Jesus has made this grand entrance we are told of His open conflict with the religious establishment in Jerusalem.

     Firstly today we hear the harsh challenge to the self-serving arrogance of the scribes. Then the comparison with the poor widow’s meagre offering.

     In verses 38-40 Jesus openly attacks the scribes for their grand-standing behaviour. Mark portrays them as self-important, arrogant and only interested in building up their own public profile. Jesus here draws our attention onto His ongoing condemnation of scribes.

     In Jewish scriptures scribes were often used as examples of those people needing special care and consideration. The Old Testament said that they should always consider favourably. Deuteronomy 14:29 lists people to receive special consideration. Along with widows are aliens, orphans and Levites (Scribes) are listed as those who need support. Levites in those days did not do any normal work but devoted themselves entirely to God.

     By the time of Jesus they wore ostentatious robes and loudly proclaimed prayers as well as insisting at being the foremost at family and community gatherings. Donations meant that they lived a lavish lifestyle. Contrast this with the guidance given by Jesus where the first would be last and servant of all.(Mark 10:35)

     Jesus confronts these opponents even more when He says that they ‘devour’ and ‘gobble up’ the houses of the widows. We are also drawn into Mark’s tendency to pair up his passages for added emphasis.

     When Mark uses the word ‘devour’ in 4:4 he refers to the birds gobbling up the seeds left by the sower. At that time the connotation is that Satan has undertaken this action. By using the same word here Mark is emphasising the demonic and human powers which are opposing Jesus.

     When we come to consider the text in our current times we need to consider the idea that it is our inner motivation which is being challenged. As a community we have been fortunate to receive some funds this year which we are devoting to our missional objectives once all the outstanding civil works and maintenance issues have been addressed. In this respect we are luckier than most.

     When we look at Paul’s writing, many years after Mark’s Gospel was written, he names specific benefactors like Phoebe in Romans 12:1-2. There is also the practice of churches meeting in people’s homes. This was not without some tension as we read in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

     So when we come to the issues for us today, how do we judge another’s intentions? Is their public prayer more about public appearance rather than a genuine outpouring of faith. This is where Mark’s Gospel challenges us.

     In verses 41-44 we have a scribe giving to the Temple and publicly proclaiming his giving which is seen as insignificant by Jesus when compared with the few small coins offered by a poor widow who gives everything that she has. This leaves each of us with the question of how much we give to the church, even today?

     If we look back at Mark 12:13-17 we have the question of paying taxes and the old retort of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. I think that what Jesus is getting at is the inner decision of showing our allegiance to God. This text, to me, is not a matter of giving away all of our money.

     This means that we have to evaluate our giving with full consideration of our options after careful prayer. This is more than a simple economic debate that we each need to have. What we do have to do is continually look at our needs as the world around us changes.

     It is clear to me that the things which are valued in the Kingdom of God are different from those we see around us every day.

    Is the money that we spend on maintaining our church a genuine gift to the Kingdom?

    Should we use our generous resources to support mission which creates a future?

    Bearing in mind the ‘widow’s mite’ I also see that this congregation also supports activities which reach well beyond our community.

     

    NOVEMBER LECTIONARY

November 3    Ru 1:1-18

                     Ps 146

                     Heb 9:11-14

                     Mk 12:28-34

 

November 10  Ru 3:1-5, 4:13-17

                     Ps 127

                     Heb 9:24-28

                     Mk 12:38-44

 

November 17  1 Sm 1:4-20

                     1 Sm 2:1-10

                     Heb 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25

                     Mk 13:1-8

 

November 24  2 Sm 23:1-7

                     Ps 132:1-12, (13-18)

                     Rv 1:4b-8

                     Jn 18:33-37