Lectionary for Pentecost 24
Sentence: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. Psalm 127:1
Collect O God, Father of the widow and the orphan, welcoming refuge for strangers, and justice for the oppressed: uphold the hope of the poor who place their trust in your love;that the time may soon come when no one will lack the bread and freedom which you provide,and all will learn to share freely after the example of him who has given his very self, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. Hebrews 9:24-28. Hebrews was written as the title suggests to Jews who had converted to Christianity. As such the whole letter is emphasising the theme that following Jesus Christ is in every way more honouring to the God who made a covenant with Abraham. If you will recall, the opening chapter of Hebrews begins with the statement, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds”. Hebrews 1:1–2 NRSV. As Christians they are not worshiping a different God but the very same God, though in a different and a better way.
In the passage for today the writer is reminding his hearers that Jesus has entered the real Holy of Holies not the one constructed by human effort. Being familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures they would have understood the Tabernacle was always a copy of the true place of worship; the earthly Tabernacle was always inferior to the place of worship that God himself had prepared. Also the writer is reminding them that Jesus’ ministry as High Priest is more effective than was the ministry of the one appointed by the Jewish council. Added to that, Jesus also gave his followers a living hope that made them long for the future and his return as Saviour over all. So the writer is emphasising that Jesus has fulfilled once and for all the sacrificial system on which all Jews relied. As the Christ, Jesus satisfied every aspect of the Law and the Writings. In himself he was the prophet who declared the promises of God; he was the priest who linked them in relationship to God and he was the king who placed the whole of creation under God’s rule. Thus the writer is urging them to continue in an authentic faith which will bring them safely to the true salvation that God has promised.
Prayer. Gracious Lord, we thank you that you have sent Jesus among us to be the true Prophet, Priest and King, to bring us into true fellowship with you. We thank you for the life of forgiveness and grace with which in Him we are surrounded. May we continue as true disciples of Jesus, Lord and Saviour; ever relying on his ministry to keep us safely in your family of the redeemed. This we ask in His most precious Name. Amen
Reading. Mark 12:38-44. Usually the bible text breaks this group of verses into two sections. V38 ff reads as the rebuking of the scribes for flaunting their position and then V41-44 as the example of the extravagant widow’s offering. It has become common place to understand the “widow’s mite” as showing that God will accept even the smallest offering. While God does accept us just as we are, Jesus here is making a very different point: The widow gave to God all that she had; she held nothing back in reserve. The passage is not about how much or how little we give, it is about the state of our relationship with God. Jesus calls to the disciple’s attention an insignificant widow, insignificant because she would not have had stately robes to display, nor would she have had followers attending to her every word.
Along the wall of the court of the temple were placed 13 trumpet shaped vessels, probably made of bronze. As the rich threw in large quantities of coins they would have made considerable noise, thus attracting attention from others. The widow’s coins are described in Greek as “lepton” which translates to mean thin or light, as such they would have made no noise at all above the background sounds of the temple. Jesus however noticed her and uses her offering to contrast the religious practises of the scribes with those of someone whose whole trust was in God. So it is not about how much or how little is given but the state of each believer’s heart. With God being Lord of all everything we have and all we are belongs to him. If we take the verses all together as one teaching session it becomes more obvious that Jesus is using the example of the widow’s mite to show how a faithful follower of God demonstrates by their actions their core beliefs. Jesus criticized the scribes for their hypocrisy. By wearing clothing that announced they were religious leaders they were given privileged places at the public banquets. They also used their powerful positions to defraud widows and those less powerful, making a mockery of the justice and mercy of God. Perhaps that is why Jesus drew attention to the widow in the first place. The scribes made a great show of their religion but in no way relied upon God or even showed him respect. On the contrary they were using God as a stepping stone to secure more wealth and privilege. The widow on the other hand, by placing all that she had into the offering bowl was showing a total reliance on God. She was trusting God to provide for all her needs, even to the bread she needed to keep her alive. The contrast could hardly have been greater. Total self sufficiency on the part of the scribes compared to total reliance on the part of the widow. Unlike the scribes this widow loved God with her heart, her mind and her strength.
Prayer. Lord your word challenges us as we live such rich and privileged lives compared to the widow in Mark’s story. Help us to trust you more and more. Deepen our faith as we recognise that it is you who provide us with life and health and all that we enjoy. You alone have blessed us with the relationships that support us. As we trust in you it is your strength that protects us from those things that would move us away from you. Help us always to keep our heart and mind focussed on you. Despite all the voices that would draw us away, mercifully grant that we will keep faith in you as the anchor that fastens us secure to the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray in his name. Amen
Collect. God of the poor, you see the generosity of the poor, and you witness the greed which does not care; open our eyes to the dignity of each person, that we may work with you for the coming of your day of justice; in Christ’s name. Amen.
Collect. (For All Souls Sunday) Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the mystical body of your Son: grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joy you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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