Today's Gospel Lesson
Mark 12:28-44 (NRSV)
Teaching in the temple, Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 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. 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."
Blog Reflection
Last Sunday, for All Saints Day, I had the privilege to be present for the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter & St. Paul (The National Cathedral) in Washington, D.C. Among the many things The Most Rev. Michael Curry said during his excellent sermon he talked about the Jesus Movement. A movement that continues the Gospel story of Jesus "turning the world upside down and right side up." Jesus now turns that world upside down through Christians who devote themselves to the work of Jesus to end oppression, feed the hungry, set free those imprisoned by systems that are corrupted by power controlled by greed, discrimination and the privileged out numbering the underprivileged.
This Gospel narrative for today shows us another picture of that same oppression and the Jesus Movement at work. In a system where women are dominated by men, injustice controls the outcome for those who live under oppression; we see those systems doing their dirty work in the life of the widow. The widow put all she had into the Temple treasury. Jesus recognizes her and the sacrifice she made. But, as the Rev. Jered Weber-Johnson said during his sermon at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church this morning; was Jesus commending the woman, or was He issuing a warning about the system to which she donated?
The Church in all it's wisdom to preach the Gospel and perform it's work of ministry; sometimes forgets who our ministry is for and about. Is our ministry as Christians about letting the Holy Spirit guide us to tearing down the many walls that divide us; or are we about building up new ones as soon as the former ones crumble? The Church now finds itself in an amazing crossroads. To continue down the road of heterosexism, sexism, religious discrimination, while ignoring the weak, the sick and the stranger, or to really invest ourselves in the work of bringing the Reign of God. Those who already have only so much to give, are giving it all. While so many of us who have an abundance are giving only such a small amount. We have food while many are hungry. We have friends and family, while so many are lonely and isolated. We have opportunities where so many have very few options.
As we contemplate this Gospel today and pray to God from this point of where we are; may all of us take time to listen to what God is saying within the depths of our hearts. May we all be open to where God is calling, and how God is calling us to "turn the world upside down, which is right side up." All of the Saints in the past and the present are showing us the way forward. It is Jesus' way, the way that leads to peace and hope for all persons. It is what our Baptismal Covenant is all about.
Amen.
Prayers
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 27: The Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).
Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church: The Book of Common Prayer, p.816).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, The Book of Common Prayer, p.823)
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