When we think of the word “duplicity,’ what comes to mind? The dictionary defines it as: (noun, ) deceitfulness; double-dealing. Similar words are: deceitfulness, deceit, two-facedness, double-dealing, dishonesty, fraudulence, etc. The Bible uses the word a few times, and in today’s Gospel message the word “duplicity” comes to mind when we hear the Lord speak about the Scribes in this manner: "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." He portrays them as leaders but without the “servant leadership” understanding that the Lord Himself follows…no indeed, these scribes seem to have come to be served…

Duplicity is not always an outward movement, or should I say a proactive action. Rather, sometimes duplicity or deceit or even the outcome of fraudulence can be wrapped in a form of words or actions that appear steeped in being just lukewarm or indifferent. Not caring about something—the homeless or the lost, or in simply seeing a need and figuring that “someone else” can handle it; a kind of attitude that says “it’s not my job!”

This indifference or lukewarmness, which we see invade the practice of faith all too often, is in fact the opposite of what Jesus calls every Christian to become, a caring and acting person… “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” (James 1:22) The Saint continues with idea of faith being fully activated in our lives, meaning being a practitioner of faith in everyday life, when he says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27) The widow in today’s gospel account does just that. Poor herself and without the comfort of a large bank account, she gives her small yet powerfully large donation to the Lord, for she knows the importance of giving from the heart, and in doing so she illustrates her great faith in the Lord to provide for her own needs. How often do I act like the widow…and do I not trust enough in that God will provide?

This conversation is much more than about cold, hard cash. It is about the way in which I give. When I give to the local food shelter, do I offer the good things of my pantry or do I offer the expired or the not-cared-for food items? When I thin-out my closet, does the bag of clothes comprise only the worn or out-of-style items; when I open my wallet for charity does the giving hurt? Or do I throw in the single dollar bill figuring that is enough, I gave? I guess the good “measuring tool” to use in our personal giving should come from our understanding of the meaning of the Our Father, particularly the phrase: “…forgive us of our sins as we forgive others…” What is the size or the “value’ of the depth and breadth of God’s Mercy that I hope He bestows upon me? Do I want the $20 value or the $1 amount of Mercy? Should I follow the understanding of giving which the widow or the well-to-do giver when it comes to being a “doer of the Word?