Whenever I talk to folks about the Gospels, I like to ask what some of their favorite stories are. I hear a lot of the highlights from Luke like the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan. The Beatitudes from Matthew often make an appearance. Folks will rapturously describe some of the discourses from John. Two things almost never come up: 1) anything from Mark; and 2) this week’s Gospel reading about the widow and the treasury, also known as the Widow’s Mite.
This story is jammed in the middle of what I like to call “Teaching Tuesday” in Mark’s version of Holy Week. The very next passage begins Jesus’ teaching on the coming destruction of the Temple. The previous passages have been these discussions and debates on the religious issues of Jesus’ day. In the middle of all of this, we get a story of Jesus going to the treasury and watching folks drop off their offerings. I expect that, despite Jesus’ critique of those who make a big show of their offerings, most people were more like this widow. They came and dropped a bit into the treasury and went on their way. To my mind, I think we need to take a closer look at the Temple to understand this moment better.
In Jesus’ day people brought all kinds of gifts to the Temple. Some were obliged offerings, some were free-will, some were animal or crop sacrifices, and there were even more offerings. The text isn’t clear about what kind of offerings these were, but we can say one thing about them: people don’t bring gifts to something they don’t love.
It can be difficult for modern Christians to understand sometimes, but the people on the ground loved the Temple as the place were they met God. They didn’t always love the priests or the political realities in their lives, but by the evidence of people attending to the Temple and wanting to learn about their faith from teachers like Jesus, the people must have really loved the Temple. Some want to see Jesus’ words about the widow as critical of the Temple authorities or of the widow, but I think this widow loves the Temple so much that she is willing to give “all she had to live on” for the maintenance of the Temple. I think that is what amazes Jesus.
This widow’s dedication is a lived parable for us just the way that Jesus’ crucifixion is a lived parable for us. What is worth giving your life for? I know I’ve made this point before, but as it is the heart of the Christian faith, it is worth making again. What do you love so much that you are willing to give all you have to live on for its well-being. God loved the world so much that he gave Jesus. Jesus loved the world and God’s mission so much that he stood before the Empire and gave his life to show us how to live the same way. This widow loved her people, her community, and her God so much that she gave her all for it. As much as Jesus on the cross, this widow is giving her life for the life of the world.
What is worth giving all you have to live on? What are the sacrifices that need to be made for the world to live? What cross do I need to pick up today for the life and well-being of the world? How shall I love with everything I am today?
St. Augustine's Chapel 