Mark 12:38-44, Hebrews 9:24-28 We all know the story of the widow’s mite. While all the rich give great sums of money much more than the poor widow yet Christ acknowledges her for giving out of her poverty – all she had. Jesus starts this passage telling the disciples to beware of the scribes in their fancy robes, greeted with respect and having the best seats at the synagogue and banquets. Where did they get all their wealth? One way Jesus points out is that they cheat widows out of their homes. The NRSV uses the stronger word – devour widows houses. Even though they say loud long prayers for sake of appearance – they will receive the greatest condemnation. All throughout the Old Testament God tells the Israelites to take care of the orphans and the widows. The scribes, however, are creating a tax on the poor keeping them in perpetual poverty. This woman is seen as giving all she has to live on – literally translated – her whole life. She has just put her life in the offering bo...

Psalm 146: 1-10, Mark 12:28-34 The psalmist in Psalm 146 gives praises to the Lord for all the great things God has done and continues to do. In comparing this passage with Mark 12 where Christ talks about the greatest commandment it is not only to love God with your whole being but to exercise that love to others – to your neighbor. In the account in Luke 10 a scribe asks, “Who is my neighbor?” to which Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. Why does the psalmist praise the Lord? It’s because of the love God shows to God’s children. God is trustworthy – not like many the leaders of whom we are not to put our trust in. But our help and hope come out of God’s love for us. God is faithful and just. Here some of our neighbors are mentioned: the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the blind, the immigrants, the orphan, and the widow. God takes care of them, loving the righteous. In Mark 12 Jesus tells us the first greatest commandment is to love the one true God with all our h...

  Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-5a   It was hard choosing which two Lectionary readings to write on this week. The gospel story of the Rising of Lazarus is one of my favorites. But since I’ve touched on that account in the past I was drawn to the Isaiah and Revelation passages that talk about wiping away tears. Isaiah prophecies of a time to come where the Lord of Hosts will make a feast of the best foods for all people. Earlier in verse 4 it tells how the enemies of the Lord will be defeated and the poor, needy, and distressed championed. Then it is said that the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces and disgrace will be removed. Not only this great feast for all but the Lord will swallow up death forever. Salvation has come to those who have waited on the Lord. Instead of tears they will be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation. In Revelation we have John’s vision of God’s final salvation coming. He sees a new heaven and a new earth. A voice tells him this is the...

  Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalms 34:1-8, 19-22   After Job has a long talk from God, Job answers acknowledging his own lack of knowledge compared with God’s. He talks about uttering things he did not understand. Now after hearing and seeing God he repents in dust and ashes. What is his reward for this humility? God not only delivers him from all his troubles, but God restores his fortunes twice as much as he had before. He lives till 140 seeing four generations. In the 34 th Psalm, David praises God for deliverance from trouble. He addresses the myth that the righteous have no troubles – just ask Job. David says in verse 19 that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will rescue them from them all. He brings up the point, however, that God is with us during our struggles. This suffering soul cried out and was heard by God who saved him from every trouble. He tells how the angel of the Lord surrounds those who fear him and delivers them. Verse 8 talks about t...