{"id":5242,"date":"2024-11-05T12:10:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T12:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=5242"},"modified":"2024-11-05T12:10:22","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T12:10:22","slug":"commentary-on-the-32nd-sunday-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-the-32nd-sunday-b\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on the 32nd Sunday (B) 10.11.2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEXT \u2014 Mark12: 38\u201344 \u2014 Scribes and Widow\u2019s Mite<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Condemnation of Scribes<\/strong><\/p>\n

38 And in his teaching he said, \u201cBeware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, 40 who devour widows\u2019 houses and for a pretence make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Poor Widow<\/strong><\/p>\n

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, \u201cTruly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Introduction <\/strong><\/p>\n

There are two parts to this reading and they are connected. The first is a strong criticism of the hypocrisy of the scribes. The second describes the generosity of a poor widow.<\/p>\n

This is a lesson on discipleship. Mark gives two contrasting portraits in this passage. First he shows certain scribes, religious lawyers, as proud, ostentatious, greedy and hypocritical. Not all scribes were like that (Mk. 12: 28\u201334). Then he contrasts the poor widow, the model of what Jesus wants disciples to be. She portrays qualities Jesus will have in his passion, namely interiorly committed to God, total dedication to his mission, abandoning everything including his life, which the widow was prepared to do, out of love for God.<\/p>\n

38 And in his teaching he said, \u201cBeware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, 40 who devour widows\u2019 houses and for a pretence make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd in his teaching he said, \u2018Beware of the scribes<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 The \u201cscribes<\/em>\u201d were the educated people most versed in law, principally the Law of Moses. The scribes from Jerusalem in particular were opposed to Jesus because of his teaching and authority. There were frequent conflicts between them (Mk. 2:6\u20137; 3: 22\u201330; 7: 1\u20135; 9; 14; 11: 18, 27 \u2014 12: 12; 12: 35).<\/p>\n

\u201cwho like to go about in long robes<\/em>\u201d \u2014 These \u201clong robes<\/em>\u201d were used during prayer services and religious functions. They were worn at other times to be ostentatious and impress. They were made from white linen, reached the ankles and had fringes.<\/p>\n

\u201cand to have salutations in the market places<\/em>\u201d \u2014 They liked people to give ceremonious bows before them as they passed.<\/p>\n

\u201cand the best seats in the synagogue<\/em>\u201d \u2014 These were the front seats facing the people who then could see them as important.<\/p>\n

\u201cand the places of honour at feasts<\/em>\u201d \u2014 These places were couches and so those occupying them would be regarded as key persons.<\/p>\n

\u201cwho devour widows\u2019 houses and for a pretence make long prayers<\/em>\u201d \u2014 In the Bible widows were regarded as the most defenceless of persons. Scribes were often appointed to look after the estates of widows. They preyed on them yet gave a pretence of helping with long prayers.<\/p>\n

\u201clong prayers<\/em>\u201d \u2014 These are often condemned as hypocritical in the Bible. This is the only reference to them in Mark\u2019s Gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will receive the greater condemnation.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Their duty was to protect and look after widows. As they did not even attempt to do this they neglected their duty and deserved severe punishment.<\/p>\n

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, \u201cTruly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he sat down opposite the treasury<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cThe treasury<\/em>\u201d was part of the Temple where money was deposited for various reasons, e.g. yearly taxes, contributions for sacrifices, for the animals to be selected, etc. Over each collection box there was a trumpet\u2013shaped receptacle into which the money was thrown.<\/p>\n

\u201cand watched the multitude putting money into the treasury<\/em>\u201d \u2014 When the coins were thrown into the receptacle there would be a lot of noise, particularly when large sums were deposited. The generosity of people and their identity would be recognised by the noise.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany rich people put in large sums<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus did not condemn the rich for their large donations.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny<\/em>\u201d \u2014 These coins were the smallest in circulation. Each would be the equivalent of less than a quarter of a cent. This widow\u2019s generosity was shown by her giving \u201ctwo coins<\/em>\u201d. This was all that she had to live on; she could have kept one for herself. No! She did not consider herself, only God. Her whole life was God.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he called his disciples to him, and said to them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 When Jesus intended to give a special teaching to his disciples, he took them aside.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Truly, I say to you<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 This is an expression Jesus uses to introduce a very important statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cthis poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Widows had no inheritance rights and depended on their children and charity to survive. Their condition was so abject that the Bible is full of examples and remarks about their needs. God alone was their ultimate defender and provider.<\/p>\n

She \u201chas put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus makes a statement that needs an explanation. He will give that in the following verse.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Literally, the Greek says she \u201cgave her whole life.\u201d The widow made a most generous, indeed a total gift for the upkeep of the Temple whereas the rich gave from their abundance. Sacrifice is the yardstick of generosity which should be judged on what one keeps for oneself rather than on the size of the donation.<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. This passage is the final address of Jesus\u2019 public ministry. Chapter 13, which follows, is his instruction to Peter, James, John and Andrew on the time of distress for Jerusalem and the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the world. Chapters 14 to 16 tell of the passion, death and resurrection. He shows himself here as a Teacher and Model of Discipleship.<\/li>\n
  2. The passage is divided into two. In the first section Jesus criticizes some scribes or lawyers (experts and teachers of the Law of Moses) for their self\u2013centeredness. They showed many bad qualities that were reprehensible in one who was meant to be committed to God. The most glaring was hypocrisy. As teachers of the Law they did not practise what they preached. They did everything to attract attention and adulation. They also exploited even the poor and those in need, including those widows they should help because of their need. Their status in the community was used to enrich themselves both socially and financially. And they made a pretence of prayer to give the impression they were holy and cared for people.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Clearly these are not the qualities of disciples of Jesus.<\/p>\n

    In contrast to the scribes is the story of the poor widow who had only two smallest of coins and who gave both freely for the upkeep of the Temple in Jerusalem. This nameless lady is a true model of discipleship. She had the qualities which Jesus admired and promoted. She was devoted to God, humble and generous. Only Jesus recognised her generosity. All she had was so small that most other people would have been ashamed to give it. Perhaps many would have laughed at the amount and at her. She was sincere. She was not trying to impress or boast, unlike some others such as the scribes. Her sole thought was to show her love for God. She did not count the consequences in giving her \u2018all\u2019. She had an excellent excuse not to give or to give only a part. She did not worry about the next meal or the future. Her trust was in God\u2019s providence. Her giving was an act of sheer sacrificial love for God. She gave everything, even her life when she gave all she had to live on. She did not give just a gift, nor a \u2018thing\u2019 but her very self.<\/p>\n

    In this scene Jesus contrasts the scribes and the widow. The former \u2018served\u2019 God to \u2018get\u2019; the widow served God and gave. Mark\u2019s Gospel is a Gospel about Discipleship. This current passage shows Jesus summing up this teaching.<\/p>\n

    Two very important points are not expressed in words but are strongly implied. The first is a reminder to readers: that to be a disciple, one does not have to possess anything but must be willing to give everything.<\/p>\n

    The second is that Jesus lived this in his life and death. He possessed nothing but his life. This he gave with absolute generosity. He looked for no personal return. He died that he might share his life with us.<\/p>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    TEXT \u2014 Mark12: 38\u201344 \u2014 Scribes and Widow\u2019s Mite Condemnation of Scribes 38 And in his teaching he said, \u201cBeware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, 40<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5245,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5242"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5242\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8312,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5242\/revisions\/8312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}