#175

This week, Jesus has some harsh criticism for the scribes and high praise for a poor widow. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy discuss how the widow's offering exposed temple corruption and the exploitation of those in need, and what it means for us today.
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[@JoanWild-ge4cz]

Deepest Sympathy to you Father Peter and all at St Mark's Church on the sudden passing of your valued guest. You must all be so traumatised and sad. It was certainly a joy to see how happy the Dean was in his last broadcasts with you. You all surrounded him and his beloved partner with such genuine respect and love. It is a comfort to know that Fletcher will have consoling memories of those last days in your beautiful church with beautiful music and good discussions and lovely prayers to sing our Dean to his rest.

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

Thank you for these explainers - for us layreaders, even though we don't read the Gospel in church, we surely have to hear it well in a sense of bringing meaning to it in our own lives. This particular pericope cracks me up because the persons reading it are, of course, necessarily robed and so on, but it is the intention not the outer being. "Doing the right thing for the wrong reason" or doing it we pray for the right reason. And thank you for mentioning our beloved Dean Robert of blessed memory.

[@JEANDonnelly-t8o]

In light of Rev Garnsey's last comment: Read the last sentence with the focus on the word, "on" and read it again. Is she giving so that she can live on? I look forward to your insights each week. Thank you. Jean Donnelly

[@DDahling]

Thank you Elizabeth - The tension has been building throughout Mark’s gospel. First, Jesus condemns the Scribes and Pharisees for their abuses against aging parents calling to their attention the hypocrisy of their so called Corban gifts in Mark 7. He then flips the numeration of the commandments concluding, “Do not defraud, honor your father and mother.” in Mark 10 in his conversation with the rich young ruler (a Scribe?) who claimed knowledge and adherence to the law all the while hoarding his stuff. And now Jesus makes his strongest disapproval - calling out the Scribes (again!) who devour widows’ houses. Enter the impoverished widow who gives all. And why? As these Corban gifts keep pouring in, (given out of much abundance) her only recourse now is to rely on the generosity of the temple (where the Almighty resided) as she finds herself abandoned by her relatives. She comes in faith for she knows the Lord will vindicate His own especially the stranger, the widow, and the orphan. For us: whom do we include/exclude from the table? Why?