The 23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 27B), Nov. 12, 2006
BCP: 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146 or 146:4-9; Heb. 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
RCL: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 and Psalm 127 or 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Psalm 146; Heb. 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
In many places in both Old and New Testaments, the people of God are commanded not to neglect the poor. Specifically, they are commanded not to see or measure by the standards of a sinful world, but to see with the eyes of God, measure with the compassion of God, and act by the standards of God.
In today’s Episcopal Church and beyond, many Christians are dedicated to the causes of peace and justice. When they act faithfully, they follow one of the essentials of godly profession and are close to the heart of God.
It was for lack of justice as well as abandonment of the worship of the Lord that both Israel and Judah were put under severe judgment in the days of the great prophets. The psalm for today includes a comprehensive list in its few verses of those poor persons whom the Lord will bless and requite. Such persons are exhorted to maintain their hope in the powerful One “who keeps his promise for ever,” and to praise him.
The lessons from 1 Kings and Mark provide an example of the place of the widow in the economy of God. The widow whom Elijah visits addresses the prophet in the name of “the Lord your God,” even though she expects that both she and her son are soon to die from starvation. She has a ministry to perform, and it is a gift that she must make from the heart-breakingly small amount that she has. Yet she makes that gift because it has been requested by the prophet.
Elijah affirms the work that she is about to do, yet he insists that he be fed before the widow and her son eat. This is surely not because he thinks he is more important than they, but because it is the only way in which the widow can demonstrate her own faith. The poor are not only recipients of justice, but are also subject to its demands.
Similarly, the widow in the gospel who puts two copper coins into the temple treasury knows she must do so to honor the commands of God. It is deeply moving to observe that she put in two coins, “her whole living,” when she could easily have rationalized putting in only one. The large amounts put in by the rich did not lead her to conclude, “they’ll never miss my copper coins if I keep them to myself.” Though likely overlooked and undervalued by the great people in the world, she knew that she had a place in the heart of God.
Look It Up
What are they guilty of whom Jesus condemns in today’s gospel reading?
Think About It
The Lord told Elijah that he had commanded the widow of Zarephath to feed him. Yet when Elijah came to the widow, she seemed unaware of the Lord’s command. How can these two facts be reconciled?
Next Sunday
The 24th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 28B), Nov. 19, 2006
BCP: Dan. 12:1-4a(5-13); Psalm 16 or 16:5-11; Heb. 10:31-39; Mark 13:14-23
RCL: 1 Sam. 1:4-20 and 1 Sam. 2:1-10 or Dan. 12:1-3 and Psalm 16; Heb. 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25; Mark 13:1-8
