Readings: 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 71; Mark 12:38-44
Jesus teaches a powerful lesson today: he describes the scribes “who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted with respect in marketplaces, and have the best seats in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” They were important people with a prestigious place in society, but Jesus continues: “they devour the widows’ houses and … say long prayers.” The scribes are able to take advantage of the vulnerable and they do.
The term used to describe this phenomenon is “social stratification”, where the wealthy seem to get more while the less fortunate suffer, with the wealthy sometimes profiting at the expense of those on the margins— often because they know how to take advantage of them. This situation has always existed, at the time of Jesus and in our own time. But I fear it may worsen in our own days. Just look at the beginning of the pandemic and the greed/hoarding of some; and now as we try to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, for many it’s the economy over peoples’ lives. Consider the racial tensions we see on TV, “Black Lives Matter”: yes, they do! We don’t have to look farther than our own back yard. Can we work together for the greater good? Can we be in solidarity with all God’s children? Will some recover while stepping on those with fewer resources causing further harm to those who are already suffering from loss of livelihood, loss of income or decreased ability to provide basic necessities for their families?
Jesus tells of the rich who gave out of their abundance, while a poor widow gave a meager contribution but out of her poverty. We need to understand our place of privilege while encouraging each of us to leverage that privilege for the benefit of others. Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place a just and peaceful place if we all acted according to the lesson Jesus teaches today?
Don’t get me wrong. There are many good, generous people providing for the poor and neglected. I am grateful, I acknowledge it, and I praise God. But we have all witnessed too many decisions based on money and prestige to the detriment of others. This is contrary to the teachings of the Gospel. Let’s take some time today to consider the giving that takes place in our parish, our community, our country, our world, our own lives. Let’s continue to develop an attitude of gratitude for God’s abundant blessings. What’s my reason for giving? What opportunities do I have today?
Blessings. Fr. Brian