November 10, 2024
Lectionary Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Ps 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44
Theme: The great gift
The setting of the gospel this week is the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem, the religious and political center of ancient Israel where Jesus spent his last days before the events of his passion, death and resurrection. Beginning in chapter 11 the Marcan author narrates the events over a series of several days in which Jesus goes to teach daily in the Temple court. His presence caused controversy as he drove out the money changers (11:15-18), faced the confrontation of the scribes and elders regarding his authority (11: 27-33) and told the disturbing parable of the vineyard owner and his tenants (12:1-12). He recognized efforts to trap him over the payment of taxes (12:14-17), responded to the Sadducees over the reality of the resurrection (12:18-27) and affirmed the greatest commandment of all (12:28-34). This series of events concluded with the incident recounted in today’s gospel in which Jesus contrasted the superficiality and self-serving practices of those in authority with the authenticity and selflessness of a poor widow who came and put into the treasury two small copper coins—the smallest in circulation at that time—comprising all she had to live on (12:42-44).
As one of the protagonists in this gospel passage, the widow illuminates two possible realities. First, the Hebrew word for widow almanah derives from the root alem meaning “unable to speak.” It is also related to an Aramaic word signifying “to be in pain” (Thurston, 9). In Greek, the word comes from the root ghe which means “forsaken” or “left empty” (Thurston, 9). It also signifies “stripped bare” or “cut off.” These words evoke the image of the Suffering Servant presented by the prophet Isaiah (see Is 52:13-53:12). By pointing out this widow and her actions, one could argue that Jesus seems to be preparing his disciples for ultimate act of generosity still to come, the unsurpassed gift of his sacrifice on the cross. In that ultimate act of self-giving, Jesus himself will be rendered speechless, stripped bare, left empty, abandoned and in profound suffering. Secondly, seen in this light, the “poor” widow is no longer “poor.” Rather, like the widow at Zarephath in the first reading, she exemplifies the riches of charity and faith that are eminently praiseworthy in God’s sight. In her generosity and spirit of detachment, she embodies the basic teachings of the Gospel regarding right relationship with God. She can therefore be compared to the disciples who left everything to follow Jesus (Levine, 261).
As the feast of Christ the King draws near, the second reading reminds us that Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands; rather he now appears in the presence of God on our behalf, having offered the sacrifice of himself for our salvation (Hebrews 9:24). As king of the universe, Christ is the Lord who keeps faith forever, executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, watches over the strangers and upholds the orphan and the widow (Ps 146:6-9).
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. How does the figure of the “poor” widow challenge you personally? 2. Reflecting on the lordship of Jesus Christ, where are the prescripts of psalm 146 still to be realized more fully in your community?
Bibliography: Levine, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Conroversial Rabbi (New York, 2014). Petersen, Gaventa and Patton, The New Interpreter’s Bible, One-Volume Commentary (Nashville, 2010). Thurston, The Widows: A Women’s Ministry in the Early Church (Minneapolis, 1989).
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Carla Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago/Canada, Bat Kol Alumna: 2018
[Copyright © 2024]
Comments are closed