Again, this weekend we hear about scribes—last week it was a scribe who came to Jesus and asked Him a question about the key Commandment, which was about coming to know or learn about the essence of our faith so that one might know how to truly live one’s life in faith. This week we hear Jesus warn about the duplicity of the scribes in general: are they religious leaders or courtiers? Just who were the Scribes in ancient Israel: they were learned men whose business was to study the Law, transcribe it, and write commentaries on it. They were also hired on occasions when the need for a written document arose or when an interpretation of a legal point was needed. Ezra, “a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses,” was a scribe (Ezra 7:6); The scribes took their job of preserving Scripture very seriously; they would copy and recopy the Bible meticulously, even counting letters and spaces to ensure each copy was correct.” “
Jews became increasingly known as “the people of the Book” because of their faithful study of Scripture, particularly the Law and how it should be followed. In the New Testament era, scribes were often associated with the sect of the Pharisees, although not all Pharisees were scribes (see Matthew 5:20; 12:38). They were teachers of the people (Mark 1:22) and interpreters of the Law. They were widely respected by the community because of their knowledge, dedication, and outward appearance of Law-keeping. The scribes went beyond interpretation of Scripture, however, and added many man-made traditions to what God had said. They became professionals at spelling out the letter of the Law while ignoring the spirit behind it. Things became so bad that the regulations and traditions the scribes added to the Law were considered more important than the Law itself.” So, from scripture scholars to holders of high office and powerful positions in community, the scribes were a mixture of the good, the bad and the “ugly.” Pretty much fully part of the human race.
But for us this weekend, we see Jesus observe the powerful as they gave their financial support to the treasury—wealthy people giving large sums of money—with little sacrifice. Then He watched a poor widow come forward and put in her two (2) cents—a small pittance that wouldn’t pay the electric bill or the fuel costs or assist with repairs to the roof or other upkeep. Yet the Lord notes that this poor widow (and remember as a widow most likely had very little income—no social security, no welfare, no dividend checks. Maybe she sold some flour or did a little housework on the side for her daily food for the day) dug deep into her pocket and pulled out all she had, two cents, and gave it with an open heart to meet her sacred obligations. Jesus declares that this poor widow gave more than the wealthy donor’s large sums of money because she gave from her existence—her total sacrifice, not her from her wealthy surplus. Her gift had an impact on her life.
Today’s gospel is about a powerful model of true generosity and piety. The Catholic interpretation of this gospel message is that God values the intention and sacrifice behind the gift more than the gift itself. Today, our take-a-way from this gospel is a simple question: what motivates my donations of time, talent and treasury to my parish? Or another way to consider it is: Do I see a value in my parish and her activities, and do I donate righteously toward its upkeep and execution?
As a parish we are not called to spend money like drunken sailors. Spend to spend, but rather are we good stewards of the parish income, do we prioritize our ministries and do we apply the Sunday donations in the right ways? But it is not all just about money either. Do I give of my time, for example, do I support Pantry Partners with some time to carry out the once-a-month ministry (or Feed the Hungry, St. Elizabeth House, Street Sandwiches); do I encourage our youth by supporting Youth Ministry or Faith Formation classes; do I think about serving on Parish Council or joining the Men’s or Women’s Ministries, Choirs, or the Knights of Malta; and, in offering my talents to do ‘something better for my parish. If I have a specific talent—gardening or landscaping, might my talents benefit the parish property? And then of course, do I give what I should in the collection…is what I give a witness to the value of what our parish does? If I gave $1 or $5 or $20 a week five or ten years ago, and with inflation, do I still give the same today—and of greater import—do I give to keep the parish in good stead for the future?
While this is not about money, it is about our selfless giving. More importantly it is about the intention and desire behind what we say and do in our faith. Today’s gospel story encourages all Catholics to give selflessly and to trust in God’s provision, reflecting the call to love and serve others with sincerity and sacrifice. Like the poor widow, St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “It is not about the size of the gift we give but rather is about the love in which we wrap the gift.”