"From the Pulpit" - reflections on the weekly texts, from Pastor Greg at Living Lord Lutheran Church
8 As [Jesus] taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 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. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything s
he had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:38-44
"Three Coins in the...Fountain???"
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the LORD Jesus Christ.
Well, it's not quite the same thing, but in reading our gospel for this Sunday, with the widow putting two small copper coins in the offering plate..."all she had to live on", I couldn't help but think of the song 'Three Coins in the Fountain", by the Four Aces. BTW, I lived and worked in the Philly suburbs for the decade of the '90's, and Al Alberts, the lead singer for the group, was a favorite son, with his south Philly roots. Remember that song?
Anyhow, yes, the gospel for Sunday is about giving, and giving sacrificially, as Mark contrasts the temple leadership - men, wealth and privilege, power, the leadership in the temple and all, against the complete opposite on the social scale. The widow, a woman, poor, an outsider, a "no account" in the world at the time. And yet it is she who gives "all she had to live on" that shows us what true sacrificial giving is all about. The temple leadership flaunting their privilege in front of others, and the widow, meagerly giving all she had to the temple.
But, there is a larger story here. Take a look at vs. 38-40 above again. What does this corrupt group as Jesus describes it reference in a larger context? That's right - an unfair and corrupt world. A world where the wealthy and powerful have all the say. A world where those in power "lord" their power over those who are on the opposite end of the spectrum. An unfair and unjust world. A world that is corrupt, where power is all that matters.
Now, take a look at the second part of this story, vs. 41-44. Who might Jesus be referring to in this story about the widow who was poor? The one who gave all she had? Can we think of anyone in Scripture who gave all they had ? Yes, Jesus himself. Jesus was born in poverty. He never had power and privilege as the world knew it. And yet it was Jesus who "gave all he had, all he had to live on", sacrificially, to save and bless all of humanity. Mark is telling us in this story that it is Jesus, born in poverty, having nothing, who gives sacrificially, for the sake of a corrupt and sinful world. For a world full of injustice. Gives his very life to save a world may be seen as beyond saving. Gives his life for the just and the unjust. For the saint and the sinner alike. For all of humanity, in other words.
And my message for Sunday will be about this, and how this very text influenced our wider church in dealing with apartheid and wealth disparity in the 1980's. Yes, there is a very real and deep connection between this very lesson, and how our church used it to deal with a 20th century version of this great wealth and justice disparity in South Africa - Apartheid, and pensions, and investments. It's all connected. Hope you can join us Sunday. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Magic "99" - This Sunday, we celebrate together our beloved Miriam Hinlickey's 99th birthday together. This amazing evangelist is still going strong, and will be sharing a bit of her faith journey tomorrow. Come and celebrate with us.
Thank you, Veterans" - Many thanks to our Veterans on this Veterans' Day weekend, as we celebrate this very special day. Thank you one and all for your service to your nation, and to those who "gave all they had" to allow us to keep our freedoms.
"Three Coins in the Fountain" below (Al Alberts is the one at the top of the album cover in this YouTube version of the song.
"Three Coins in the Fountain"
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