November 7, 2021 – Pentecost +24

“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, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 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. 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.” Mark 12:38-44

Jesus draws a comparison between the Scribes and other religious leaders who “devour widow’s houses”. In a society where most of the people were poor, the widows and the orphans were the poorest of the poor. Who are the poorest of the poor in our society? Where are the unemployed, the under-employed, the homeless, the hungry—the people living at the bottom of our economy who are trying to scrape enough money together to pay rent, buy food, and pay their bills? How is Christ calling you to live like a neighbor, calling you to serve your neighbor, and calling you to do more than just the minimum to look as if you care?

Every day we need to say prayers of thanksgiving for those who heed the call to serve as peacemakers in their country, church and society—especially since we live in a world with so much hate and violence. Injustice and violence continue to break out around the country and the world. We need to pray for all our veterans, our active military and their families—just like we need to pray for our newly elected congressmen and women, pastors, nurses, doctors, dentists, social workers, counselors, and so many others who serve the needy and the poor and the broken. It is time we all need to focus on becoming peacemakers—and focus on serving our country and our fellow human beings.

And now an original poem by Pastor Dave. I share this poem with you not for you to rate me on my poetic skills. I write for the challenge of it, period:

In Zaraphath the widow knows, Her raging hunger—blow on blow A child of G-d; her life a light; Scarce known, still, she is G-d’s delight In Zaraphath the widow knows,

Whence came a widow—fate on fate, Elijah spoke as he stood a-gate; “Bring me a cake; no morsel more”; Said she “My Lord we are too poor We won’t survive this sorry state.”

He said “Dear friend, G-d will provide, Be not afraid—you will not die The Lord is One; and great to me, He will provide, please just believe; The oil and meal will not run dry”

The widow and her son were saved, Through the blessing, the Lord He gave; Elijah too; as he foretold, G-d did provide—His word’s like gold; Shines brightest midst our darkest days.

Pastor Dave