‘Hope and new life’

Andrew Collis
Ordinary Sunday 32, Year B
Psalm 127; Mark 12:38-44

In today’s reading, which recounts Jesus’ final public act before his farewell speech to the disciples and subsequent passion, a poor widow gives “her whole livelihood” (literally, her “life”).

After several disputes with the temple establishment (a religious and commercial centre with a large staff, requiring great financial resources), Jesus lashes out at the scribes, pillorying their social posturing – wearing elaborate vestments, glorying in signs of honour, but most harshly “devouring the houses of widows” by promising to recite lengthy prayers. 

Jesus then sits, faces the treasury and watches people donate money, most likely putting it in boxes marked “alms”, which have been found by archaeologists. A poor widow comes by; Jesus notices her as she throws in a couple of coins (lepta), the equivalent of a few cents.

The contrast is stark, not only between the rich, who give out of their surplus, and the widow, but also between the widow and the scribes. 

In contrast to the external signs of honour sought by the scribes, she possesses true honour in God’s eyes. Her action not only symbolises what Jesus will do (that is, give his life) but provides a “bookend” with the action of the woman in Mark 14:1-11, who with extravagant largess anoints Jesus for his death.

Jesus calls us to sit with him for a moment and watch to see who participates in the life of our congregation-community-garden (our institutions, economies, ecologies) – to investigate the dark corners for people/souls in need of food, clothing, shelter, decent wages, a helping hand, an advocate, a friend.

And then not simply to observe, but to call others and invite them to open their eyes, too – to go and talk with those who are hidden in plain view – to ask them about their lives, to ask them how we might partner with them to create hope and new life. Amen.