In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware 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 and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the
treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich
people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins
worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other
contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus
wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole
livelihood." (Mark 12:38-44)
Introductory Prayer:
Lord, I believe in you. I believe that you are here with me, within me as the
life of my soul. I place all of my trust in you, for without you I can do
nothing. I love you. Thank you for revealing your loving mercy to me. I offer
you all I do in return.
Petition:Lord, help me to
be coherent and sincere in my decision to follow your will in my life.
1. Religion for Show The
Gospel passage presents us with the stark contrast between the scribes and a
poor widow. The scribes were driven by appearances. They were slaves to their
vanity. Their interior security lasted only as long as praise flowed from the
mouths of those around them. They were more driven by the applause of men than
the approval of God. Since their piety was mere show, it left no deep mark in
their soul and could not free them from their disordered passions. Externally
they appeared religious, but within they were a seething mass of vice. In their
greed, they “devoured the houses of widows.” Is my piety for show or for God
alone?
2. Generosity Means Giving All The poor widow went unnoticed by the crowd, but Jesus saw her.
While the rich made a great show of their gifts, she had only two small coins
to give. She quietly slipped in among the crowd, seeking no one’s notice;
but she was noticed by Christ. This is our choice: the applause of men or the
praise of God.
3. Drawing Comparisons Sometimes
it is easy for us to get caught up in what others have -- what they are doing
or saying. We fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others, and
probably most of the time we don’t measure up! It causes nothing but anguish.
Yet, God doesn’t compare us to others. He loves us. He made us as we are, with
our own unique combination of talents and abilities. He measures our generosity
not by what we give, but by what we hold back for ourselves. Remember, the
happiest are not those who have everything but those who give everything they
have.
Conversation with Christ:Lord,
help me to stop comparing myself to others. Help me to see the good you want me
to do today. Let me see the things I’m holding on to and that which is keeping
me from you. You have given me everything. I want to return your gifts in full
with interest.
Resolution:I will trust in God’s providence and give him something today that I’ve
been holding back
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