True Generosity

Thirty Second Sunday - Year B

1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

In the first reading, a widow shares with Elijah a little cake from her meager supply of food. In the Gospel, another widow gives two small coins to the temple’s treasury. Finally, in the second reading, Jesus is offered “to take away sin by his sacrifice” (Heb. 9:26). On the opposite spectrum are the teachers of the Law who flaunt their religiosity and the rich, who out of the abundance offer much (Mark 12:41,44).

An ‘assarion’ was equal to eight lepta and could buy two sparrows (see Matt. 10:29). Thus, with two lepta (Mark 12:42) the poor widow could not even buy a single sparrow. “The treasury” referred to thirteen trumpet-shaped donation chests, each one for different purposes. For example, for money collected from the temple tax, from vows offerings (see Acts 21:24), from the offerings of lepers (see Mark 1:44), and from voluntary contributions.

“Jesus sat down opposite the treasury” (Mark 12:41) in the so-called Second Temple built in 516 BCE (see Hag. 1:1-2:9). King Herod (34 - 4 BCE) began a huge project of reconstructing the entire temple, which ended in 64 CE just six years before its destruction. Despite all its grandeur, that temple lacked the holiest objects of the First Temple built by King Solomon, namely the Ark of the Covenant, the Tablets of Stone with Ten Commandments, the pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod. Moreover, in the eyes of Christ that house of prayer was turned into “a den of robbers” (Mark 11:17).

“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury” (Mark 12:43). At that time, all money was metal coinage, thus if someone threw a lot of such coins into the treasury it made a lot of noise for others to hear. Two copper coins could not create such an effect. But why did she put so little? Was she among those widows whose property was devoured by the scribes (Mark 12:40)?

Today’s Gospel contains the last words spoken by our Lord inside the temple of the old covenant (Mk 12:38-44). Jesus would never step inside that temple again. After leaving it, our Lord pronounced a judgment over those magnificent buildings: “There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Mark 13:2). A copy of the true sanctuary (Heb. 9:24) was about to be shut down.

The scribe and the rich flaunt their piety, the poor widow would go unnoticed, if not for Christ’s gaze. The scribes used their devotion for financial gain (1 Tim. 6:5), the widow put herself in the hands of God who promised to sustain her (Ps. 146:9). They have money but are spiritually bankrupt, she is poor but spiritually wealthy. Yet, at the same time, her presence in the temple condemns those guardians of the law of Moses who against the law devour “the houses of the widows: these shall receive greater condemnation” (Mark 12:40).

The generosity of both widows can help us to realize that immensely greater generosity of ABBA, Father. Flour and oil which the widow from Zarephath willing shared with Elijah signify life (1 Kings 17:12). Two small coins which the widow from the Gospel tossed into the treasury signify “her whole livelihood”. But the gift of God’s beloved Son offered for us signifies love and life for the whole world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“Never measure your generosity by what you give, but rather by what you have left” (Bp Fulton Sheen). How generous are you?