"Two small coins . . .
Kg
17:10-16
Hb
9: 24-28Mk 12: 38-44
There
is a well-known expression that goes: “Put your two cents in.” It essentially means that I have an opinion about
something that I would like to share. My “two cents” is that belief. It may be worth hearing and contributes
positively to the conversation at hand or it may be just blowing off steam or a
bit of conceit on my part. Talk is cheap but actions speak louder.
The
Gospel (Mk 12: 38-44) this Sunday is a story about an observation Jesus made in
the Temple. As he comments on the bombastic arrogance 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 . . .” Such an overt attempt at self-promotion is to be
rejected as a warning to Jesus’ crowds.
Meanwhile,
at the treasury, Jesus notices a scene that likely went unnoticed by most of
the crowd. A poor widow, whom most would
have simply ignored, stands in line behind the rich people who put in “large
sums” of money. This anonymous woman
puts in “two small coins” and moves on. Her action spoke to Jesus.
Our
Lord uses this as a teachable moment about the true value of generosity: “this
poor widow put in more than all the other” since she contributed “from her
poverty . . . her whole livelihood.” Her two cents was not an opinion about
politics, religion, culture or anything in particular. She said nothing but
became a powerful contrast between those who give for public notice and those
who give out of trust.
The
scribes who Jesus criticized were not bad men as such. Their position was both
religious and civil among the Jewish population. They wore distinctive clothing that would reflect
their position of responsibility among the people. It isn’t the clothing they wear that Jesus
warns against. It is their love for
power and prestige that becomes detrimental to their spiritual health and makes
them poor examples for the people they serve. Let’s face it – they loved being
who they were and they attempted to soak it for all it was worth. It brings to mind the famed saying of the fun
loving Pope Leo X (1513): “God has given us the Papacy so let us enjoy
it!” And he did indeed. We don’t need
leaders like that! Such poor example of responsibility is scandalous.
So,
Jesus uses the occasion of a simple anonymous widow, who clearly gave more due
to her sacrifice, to teach about generous trust of the Lord. The widow, frankly, had nothing to lose. The
bit of money she had remaining was nothing compared to her needs. Perhaps Our
Lord read her heart as to what may have been an act of faith. “No one is here
to provide for me so why not just give it all to God and trust in him” she may
have thought.
The
scribes loved to be noticed for their generosity. Putting in many coins one by one and slowly
as to linger as people passed by. The widow gave her two cents quickly and
walked on ignored by the crowd while Jesus knew that this put her in an even
more vulnerable position. But her action was used to speak a lesson to all
Christians.
Jesus
criticizes the brightest, the most knowledgeable, and the most influential
leaders of the people in a way that likely stunned the crowd. It often doesn’t take long to see though a
person’s hypocrisy or love for prestige.
Yet, the crowds didn’t dare say anything publicly about their true
feelings. There might have been a few “right on Jesus!” comments under the
breath of the powerless when they heard of Jesus’ comparison. We too need to
remind ourselves.
That
God and the poor, dependent, helpless, vulnerable, and truly humble have a
special relationship of love. That when we voluntarily swallow our pride or our
own desire to be noticed and recognized and turn to the Lord, we are heard and
loved in return.
For
myself as Pastor and Priest, despite the scandals of the last few years, there
is still a certain innate respect among most Catholic people for their priest. Any
priest could be tempted to seek special “seats of honor.” After all, we do on occasion wear long robes
and sit in a special place of honor during our Eucharistic liturgies. If I take myself too seriously, I would be no
better than those Jesus criticizes. Just slap me (gently) if I appear a bit
over the top now and then. It is ultimately the self-giving of the widow and
the ultimate example of that self-sacrifice in Jesus’ death and resurrection
that is the model for all Christian disciples. Try praying for your enemies or
someone who simply doesn’t like you for whatever reason. That can be true humility. Such an action
would not go unnoticed by a merciful God.
Like
the widow in our first reading from the Book of Kings, who showed honor to the
prophet Elijah with the little she had, so too do we bring whatever we have not
for our own glory but for deeper trust that our reward from God will come in
ways we may not expect.
These
readings are good as we have just come off of a very contentious political
battle for the American Presidency. No
candidate for that exalted position can remain silent but he/she must likewise
realize that the authority to govern is ultimately from God alone. The ugly word
spoken in political commercials or between candidates is an unfortunate part of
the political game. And we may wonder, “Does he really believe that about the
other guy or is this just to make himself look better?”
In
the end, the call of the serious Christian must shame the proud, the bombastic,
the power seekers and self-promoters in favor of a life that contributes to
society in a way that is positive, humble, and in right perspective with our
God.
So,
the next time you feel like putting in your two cents it might be good to ask
just exactly why. Is this honor for God
or honor for me?
“So
let us give back to the Lord the gifts he has given us. Let us give to him who
receives in the person of every poor man and woman. Let us give gladly, I say,
and great joy will be ours . . .”
St.
Paulinus of Nola (355-431)
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