By Kayla Kade
Scripture:
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Reflection:
In Mark: 12:38-44, Jesus puts down those who are wealthy and do not share what they have. He explains that those who are flashy and care only about wealth and prestige will be punished. This ties back to our times in that we tend to look too highly upon those who are famous and wealthy. We should rather judge them by their actions, not by the power they have and what they own. Jesus additionally explains that the poor widow who put in only two small copper coins had given more than all the wealthy people who donated an abundance to the temple treasury. She had barely anything in the first place and still gave of herself. Tying this back to what we can do, Jesus doesn’t want us to become overly wealthy. We should take only what we need and share any extras with those who need it.
Jesus speaks of the real issue with wealth being that it easily persuades people to overly emphasize material things and overly emphasize one’s self. If we are to become wealthy, we need to not pamper ourselves, but instead, share it with those who have no way of obtaining it. We need to treat everyone equally and with respect and do what we can to follow the Vincentian ways. I urge us all to give up some of our free time to give back to society, to those who need us, and to give any money we can spare to those who need it. By doing this, we will follow what Jesus teaches and we will show that we are truly the children of God.
