GOSPEL
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd
and Doubleday & Company Inc.
In his teaching, Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats at the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’
He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called to his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.'
(Mark 12:38–44)
DID YOU KNOW?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- Every Jewish male was required to pay an annual half shekel offering towards the costs of the temple (see Matthew 17:24). Women were not obligated to make this offering, so the offering of the widow was not required but freely given.
- The Jerusalem temple was a massive structure with a large cohort of priests and attendants, and its upkeep must have been a very expensive exercise.
- The treasury was a part of the temple in Jerusalem, and its function was under the exclusive control of the Sadducees, an elite and wealthy group of families of high priestly caste.
EXPLORING THE WORD
Jesus is scathing in this text in his comments about people who parade their religiosity while living at the expense of the poor. Merely making a show is not how God wants to be honoured. Even the wealthy who contribute so generously to the temple treasury are only giving of their excess, from what they do not need. Instead it is the poor widow—who is under no obligation to contribute to the temple treasury—who puts all she has at the service of God. With nothing left with which to feed herself, she has totally put her trust and confidence in the fact that God will provide all she needs.
- Talk about people who have given everything for God,
who have put all they have at the service of God. - How far are we prepared to go?
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- When do you give your all? How generously do you share your wealth, your time, your attention?
- Make a generous contribution of time, money, energy or service this week. Seek no acknowledgement for this.
- Reflect on a time when you were the recipient of a generous gesture by another. What was revealed about the giver in this gesture? How did you respond? Reflect on occasions when we have been generous as a nation. When have we been less than generous? How did that make you feel as an individual citizen? Share your reflections together.
- Pray today’s opening collect this week:
Almighty and merciful God,
graciously keep us from all adversity,
so that, unhindered in mind and body alike,
we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours.
SHARING THE TRADITION
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God's word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
This gospel refers to the temple treasury. Jesus is not critical of the collection of funds per se; he reserves his scorn for those who exploit the poor and those who are less than generous. The collection of funds and the support of those in need have always been a part of the tradition of the Church. The letters of Paul, the earliest of the Christian writings, often refer to collections made on behalf of some Christian communities that were struggling. In the Acts of the Apostles, the sharing of material goods so that none went without was part of the normal life of the first Christians. The giving of money to support the Church and its works is still a part of the life of every parish. Caritas Australia is the official aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. During Lent, Caritas runs Project Compassion, which collects funds to be used in other parts of the world to assist in authentic human development for people who have little. Each parish relies on contributions from the congregation for the upkeep and running of parish programs and buildings.
- Talk about the ways that people contribute financially in your parish.
- Explain the uses to which parish funds are put, both for the local community and for the wider Church.
- Explain the obligations of parishioners to make their own contributions to the work of the Church both locally and globally.
SYMBOLS AND IMAGES
The total giving of the widow in this text acts as an introduction to the total self-giving of Jesus on the cross, which follows shortly in Mark’s Gospel. All is surrendered; nothing is held back!
LIVING THE WORD
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- Does your parish have teams of counters for Sunday offerings? Can catechumens become involved in this? Are there other fundraising occasions in which they could become involved?
- Use a few small coins as a focus for prayer. Pray for the Church and its leaders. Remember especially today all those who have offered the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in times of war to safeguard our freedom. Pray for each other as you journey to full membership in the Church. A suitable song could be ‘Church of God’ (GA 480). Conclude with the blessing in RCIA at §97A.