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Oct
20

(32nd Sunday OT B) Of Scribes and Widows

angfrayle on October 20th, 2009

The 32nd Sunday of OT B brings to our attention the theme of true giving. Examples are taken from widows, who in the Bible, together with the orphans, are taken as special categories of persons that the society should pay special attention to. In the readings selected for the day, the widows inspite of their need and poverty stand out because of their sincerity in giving. The widow of Zarephath gives her last supply of food to the prophet Elijah. Jesus sees a widow giving her contributions for the upkeep of the Temple of Jerusalem and declares that she, compared to the others who gave of their surplus, was the one who was generous in giving.

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Guide to the Reading of the Text

1. Using the criteria of change of setting and characters, the text of Mark 12:38-44 easily divides into two parts: (a) 12:38-40 (A Warning about the Teachers of the Law) and (b) 12:41-44 (A Lesson about True Giving)

2. Study the two parts of the text closely and ask yourself this question: “What topic common to both parts is addressed?” “What relationship does the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law have with the sincerity of the widow’s act of giving?”

3. The liturgy provides a shorter reading, vv. 41-44. Independently of vv. 38-40, what lesson is imparted in this second part?

4. Compare the following verses in Mark with those of Matthew and Luke

  • Mark 12:38 Matthew 23:5-6; Luke 11:43; 20:46
  • Mark 12:40 Matthew 23:1-4; Luke 20:47

Note that what Jesus says about the scribes/teachers of the law in Mark is applied to the Pharisees in Matthew and Luke. This is due to the fact that some scribes were also Pharisees.

5. The mention of “widows” in verse 40 has allowed Mark to add vv. 41-44, Jesus’ lesson about the widow’s mite.

5.1. The expression “(they) devour the houses of widows” (v. 40) refers to an act of oppression; instead of helping the widows — a section of those who needed assistance — the scribes, like termites, help themselves to the widows’ resources. With this observation, Jesus also underlines the hypocrisy of the prayer of scribes.

5.2. The expression “she threw in all that she had to live on” is to be understood in comparison with “they threw in what was extra” (44a).

Comparing the Readings

The first reading is taken from 1 Kgs. 17:10-16, a section of what scholars regard as The Man of God cycle in Deuteronomic history. In this cycle of stories, the main character is Elijah. The particular section chosen for the liturgy is about the widow of Zarephath who gives Elijah all the food supply that she had. Because of her kindness, Elijah gave her his word that she will not lack anything: ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” The story concludes happily with the Deuteronomist writing that the widow and her son continued to have food for a year.

The figure of the widow of Zarephath in the OT reading points to the widow that Jesus observes putting her contributions to the temple treasury. She who is classified among those whom society should assist does not shrink back from giving all that she had for the maintenance of the Temple of Jerusalem. Compared to the others who gave their extra, she gave her all. Hers is an example of sincere giving and Jesus points this out to his disciples. It is not they who give large amounts that truly give, but she who inspite of her poverty gives all that she has.

Suggestions for the Lesson

The liturgy puts before us the generous example of two widows. One gives fully knowing that her supply of food is so limited that she and her son would die of starvation; the other contributes to the coffers of the Temple the little that she already had. These two widows tell us something about the meaning of generosity. When we say “generous service” to the Lord, do we mean “give Him what we can spare of our time, our talents and our resources?” He who so generously gave His own life for our salvation deserves better. Even here, we need to repent for the many times in which we held something back from the Lord and gave Him extras instead.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church refer to parts of Mark 12:38-44. One can also use these hints for explaining the Gospel reading.

Mark 12:38-40 — CCC. 678 Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgment of the Last Day in his preaching. Then will the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to light. Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God’s grace as nothing be condemned. Our attitude to our neighbor will disclose acceptance or refusal of grace and divine love. On the Last Day Jesus will say: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

Mark 12:41-44 — CCC. 2444 “The Church’s love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition.” This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to “be able to give to those in need.” It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.

Mark 12:38-44
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
38And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,
39And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:
40Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.
41And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.
Hebrews 9:24-28
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
24For Jesus is not entered into the holies made with hands, the patterns of the true: but into heaven itself, that he may appear now in the presence of God for us.
25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holies, every year with the blood of others:
26For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world: but now once at the end of ages, he hath appeared for the destruction of sin, by the sacrifice of himself.
27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment:
28So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many; the second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation.
Mark 12:38-44
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
38And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,
39And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:
40Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.
41And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.
Mark 12:38
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
38And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,
Matthew 23:5-6
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
5And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes.
6And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues,
Luke 11:43; 20:46
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1143Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplace.
2046Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplace, and the first chairs in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts:
Mark 12:40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
40Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.
Matthew 23:1-4
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
2Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses.
3All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.
4For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them.
Luke 20:47
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
47Who devour the houses of widows, feigning long prayer. These shall receive greater damnation.
Mark 12:38-44
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
38And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,
39And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:
40Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.
41And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.
Mark 12:38-40
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
38And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes, and to be saluted in the marketplace,
39And to sit in the first chairs, in the synagogues, and to have the highest places at suppers:
40Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.
Mark 12:41-44
View in: NAB NIV KJV NJB Vulg Greek
41And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.
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