Mark, chapter 12:42

In today’s gospel lesson, from Mark, Chapter l2, Jesus watches a poor widow who has come to the Temple and, along with others, is putting her offering in the collection box. “Many of the rich put in a great deal,” Mark tells us, while “a poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny.” Having observed this, Jesus says to His disciples, “I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put in more than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over. But she from the little she had put in everything she possessed—all she had to live on.” (MK. 42-44)

To some, Jesus may seem to have a rather strange way of evaluating money. The large amounts contributed by the rich surely seem to be worth more than the widow’s penny. But Jesus explains Himself; the rich gave from their surplus wealth—money they didn’t need; the widow gave from her want—her survival money. The rich gave a great deal, but their heart wasn’t in it; the widow gave little money but her heart was in it totally. In other words, she put her complete faith and hope and trust in the Lord God. She surpassed the bookkeeper’s mentality we often adhere to in calculating our giving to God.

Of course, money alone is never enough to provide for the needs of the church. In the absence of a living faith—the church building, church services and church activities would be meaningless. Clearly, the true value of a financial gift cannot be measured by its surface value. It must be measured by what we put into it; by the spirit in which we give it; by the love we attach to it.

For Jesus, religion was first and foremost an affair of the heart. External religious exercises in themselves are meaningless if they do not reflect an inner heartfelt dedication to the Lord. “Be on guard against the scribes who like to parade around in their robes and recite long prayers for appearance sake.” (MK :38-39)

Attachment to money is a serious, societal problem which causes untold suffering in families today. Business people often sacrifice family love in favor of making money; they forget that love of family—spending quality time together, is far more important than financial gain or corporate greed. The pour widow in today’s gospel is a reminder to all of us that the little things done with love are more important than the big things done from self-interest.

Fr. Hugh Duffy, Pastor