The Widow Who Gave Her All: A Modern Parable
Mark 12:38-44
38 As 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, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then 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. 44 For 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.”
This is a story we have heard before. Like the Good Samaritan this is a story that has become so ingrained in our consciousness and cultural memory that it has lost some of the scandal and bite it would have had. Tonight, I want to offer a different historical parable relevant to our cultural moment.
Beware of those television commentators, influencers, and radio personalities who seem larger than life. They relish in their follower counts, viewership, and clicks. They use their platforms to grow their influence, fame, and pocketbooks. They have their own drivers, rent out their own restaurants, and sit comfortably in their isolated palaces. They devour the hearts of their viewers by spewing disinformation, multiplying division, and sowing dissent. For the sake of appearances, they say culturally significant buzzwords- they mention socialism, unemployment benefits, or laziness- as they sit comfortably in their studios. This intricately designed rouse only adds to their wealth, status, and influence, while people are being evicted and losing their homes because they aren’t earning a living wage. Yet, we foam at the mouth when they talk about the laziness of the modern worker and the scandal of unemployment. These ones shall reap what they have sown.
I drove into the big city to attend a church. We finished our first song, prayed our prayers, and prepared for the offering. The plate was passed. The finely dressed and comfortably rich parishioners put in their checks with several zeros, and others a stack of twenties. The plate came to the front of the church when the procession was suddenly stopped. A young woman, who had recently lost her job and was living out of her car, comes forward. A moment ago, she was rifling through her purse, and now she makes her way down the aisle. Past the gawking looks of those to her right and left, she places two dirty pennies into the offering. She made her way to the back of the sanctuary as murmurs broke out in the sanctuary. Then a parent said to his family and friends nearby. “Truly I tell you, this homeless woman has put in more than all others who have tithed this morning. For each of you have contributed from your abundance, but she out of her poverty and homelessness has put in everything she had, she put in her whole life.”
We forget that riches, social status, and fame are idolatrous. We as a culture worship fame. Our daily ritual requires us to consume news, media, and the latest scandal. We are polluted by partisan politics that divide us and give us blinders so that we cannot see the real experiences of our neighbor. Our liturgical worship has become the endless doom scrolling on social media or news websites. Our hallowed hymns are the sounds of ranting and fruitless arguments. Beware the endless cycle of artificial anger and dissension, for it devours the homeless, the migrant, and the vulnerable. It puts labels on them of “lazy,” “criminal,” or “irresponsible.” Beware you comfortable, conditioned churchgoers for Jesus’ words are clear:
20 “Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
We must wake up from our slumber and see our fellow creature in need. We must hear the cries of creation being exploited. Arise from your sleep, Christian. Awake from your stupor! We can no longer be comfortable realists sitting on the sidelines, but must be a people who advocate, support, and stand alongside the impoverished creatures of this world.