Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his
teaching Jesus said to the crowds, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go
around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor
in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of
widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very
severe condemnation."
He 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 all 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."
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Reflection:
A rich man suddenly
died, when he was about to enter the heavenly gates. Jesus appeared before him
and told him, you’re not destined to be here. The rich man said to Jesus, why my
Lord? I regularly gave large amount of money to the church! I built many
churches during my lifetime! I gave to
the poor! The Lord said to him, Yes you did all of those things but you did it
so that you would be praised and hailed as generous.
In giving to the
church or giving in general the best way to do it is to give from the heart and
to give without anybody knowing it. We do not give out of our surplus and we don’t
give because we want others to admire and praise us.
The rich and
powerful in our gospel who gave large amount of money to the treasury seems to
be generous on the surface. But they are not for the reason that they gave from
their surplus wealth or wealth that is not useful to them anymore.
In contrast here is
a poor and powerless widow who gave two small coins worth a few cents (Mark
12:42). This poor but truly generous widow gained the admiration of Jesus since
she gave from her heart. The widow gave it all, no pretensions and no desire
for earthly praise whatsoever.
When we give to the
church and when we give in general, let us give from our hearts. Let us not
publicize our generosity and let us not seek praise and admiration in our giving.
Let us not count the cost of giving because what we give comes back to us a
hundredfold.