They devour the houses of widows

The Gospel has two parts: The denunciation of the practice of the scribes (vv 38-40) and the commending of the widow’s act of putting all that she has into the temple treasury (vv 41-44). The second part tells of the widow’s generosity and trust in God’s providence. The first has Jesus’ warning against an organized crime to exploit the poor under cover of the recitation of lengthy prayers.

The poor widow trusts in God’s providence, which the scribes are unable to do so that they must devise a way to preserve themselves and their selfish interests.

Can our religious practice be used, if not as an instrument of exploitation, as an excuse to our indifference towards the poor?

Gospel • MARK 12:38-44

In the course of His teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.

They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling His disciples to Himself, He said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2020,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@ stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.