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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Poverty can't be measured by material possessions

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published October 30, 2009

First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16

Ancient Zarephath is in the territory outside Israel. It is located about 10 miles south of Sidon (present day Lebanon), along the coast. Elijah had predicted the drought that had struck the Middle East, thus making food scarce.

In Hebrew, the first words of the widow in response to Elijah is "alive." The last word in that first response is, "We will die." The prophet calls upon the authority of the Lord. The woman obeys the word he speaks, and all three, the widow, her son and the prophet, live on the miracle of the jar of flour and the jug of oil. Later in the narrative (17:22), the prophet will raise up her son, who dies suddenly. Again, the biblical author makes it very clear that it is the power of the Lord that accomplishes this sign.

Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

The author uses the imagery of worship in the Temple to explain the mystery of faith and salvation. Jesus is both the one who offers and the sacrifice that is offered. The author does not take away the importance of personal acceptance of what was obtained through the offering of Christ. He speaks about what was made possible through that action.

The author contrasts the singular nature of the action of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary with the repeated actions of the high priest in the sanctuary of the Temple. He also uses the imagery of the outer court symbolizing Earth, while the inner court of the Temple, where the high priest entered, as a representation of heaven.

The earthly sanctuary is described as a "copy of the true one." There was an early belief that the Temple and the court of the king were simply copies of where the divinity reigned. This passage uses the word "once" to describe three things: the appearance of Christ, the death of human beings and the offering of Christ to take away sins. The word does not emphasize the limitation of its occurrence, but the completeness of the action. The effect is ongoing, as demonstrated by its consequence for "many."

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (short form: Mark 12:41-44)

Jesus describes the scribes as doing seven things. He concludes with the phrase: "They will receive a very severe condemnation." The comment about how "they devour the houses of widows" is a comparison that leads into the next scene. The scribes "devour," while the widow "contributed all she had."

The narrative is very brief about the offering of the rich. It expands the description of the offering of the "poor widow." She is mentioned twice, although she is not named. Being both "poor" and a "widow" bears witness to the meager resources she had financially and legally. Widows had very little legal standing. They were usually singled out in the prophets as a group, which required special attention and protection by others. The copper lepton, the coin translated in this passage as a "small coin," was the smallest denomination of Greek coin.

The completeness of her offering is also recognized in the speech of Jesus: "She contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." She could have saved one of the two small coins for herself, while still offering something. But she chose not to do that. The reference may echo the commandment in Deuteronomy 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God ... with your whole life." The same word is translated as "livelihood" here. Although the scribes know the Law, the widow practices it.

The introduction to Jesus' saying, "Amen, I say to you," occurs elsewhere in the gospel to introduce a prophetic saying or an instruction on discipleship (Mark 8:12, 9:1, 10:15, 11:23). Since Jesus summoned "His disciples," His teaching was in the context of discipleship.

I have witnessed many people who have sacrificed a worldly career in business or even the Church because of their steadfast obedience to the call of Christ in their lives. In one parish, a man told me that he was ordered not to have more children, if he wished to advance in the company. He was told "to take care of it." He was a good Irish Catholic, who believed in accepting those whom the Lord would send to him and his wife. After eight children, he had the same job and pay in the company. He was not going to advance. But he never regretted his decision. He said that the Lord repaid him in many different ways for his commitment to life and to his faith.

As disciples of the Lord we are challenged and inspired by those who entrust their present life and their future destiny to Jesus Christ. They are the quiet martyrs, the witnesses, to the treasury of our faith.

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.