Mark 12:38-44 (NRSV)
Read Mark 12:38-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 38As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, Verse 39and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! Verse 40They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
Verse 41He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. Verse 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Verse 43Then 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. Verse 44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
Devotion
The first verses of this passage point out our human need to be significant. What are some of the differences between things in our lives that have authentic enduring significance and those things that only have conspired or imagined significance? None of us willfully seeks to live in a way that leads to greater condemnation. But do we hear Jesus' words in this gospel reading as speaking to any of our habits? Who in your life of faith has called on you to reflect on whether what we say really matters is in alignment with how we actually live our lives? Such people are blessings even if it is uncomfortable for us to acknowledge their constructive criticism. May our eyes be opened to the persons God has placed in our paths to model faith and to speak to the ways we ourselves model faith in our own lives.
Prayer
Lord of all, our desire for approval and acclaim sometimes cloud our good judgment. Attend to our spirits and nurture in us an earnest desire for your will above the other wills that wrestle for our attention. Amen.