‘faith’…noun or  verb?

November 10, 2024

Scriptures: Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44

I long thought that today’s story of the ‘Widow’s Mite’ was solely about giving…in particular, giving when you didn’t have much to give…that this little story in the gospels was about being willing to give even when you felt you really could not afford it…giving when doing so cut into the funds you would normally depend upon to get by, necessary funds to pay the expenses you knew were coming…not because you were extravagant at all, but just because you knew giving right now, was going to be felt later on.

I also felt that the ‘giving’ portion of this story was more about giving in faith…giving to others, while trusting that your own needs would still be provided for, even if you gave what seemed like your last dollar in seeking to help another. Reaching out and extending oneself in response to a feeling deep within, trusting in God…praying, hoping, and believing that you would get by.

To me at least, and for a long time, that seemed to be the gist of the story in our gospel reading today…a poor, pretty much destitute woman reaching deep into both her sense of duty and obligation to the Temple, as well as into her mostly empty purse to give what she could to the work of God…all the while trusting…praying…and hoping.

But I now realized that, while that is perhaps a good way to hear and understand this little story, there may be much more to it…something quite different that Jesus was trying to convey, other than simply shaming those there with the example of this poor woman and her meager offering. And that has to do with his strong critique of the religious establishment…which as we know, was a frequent target of his, as well as unfortunately, a prominent driver of the opposition that eventually led to a cross on Calvary.

And I say this because the opening words of the passage seem to be trending in a different direction from my previous understanding, to which the poor widow simply gave illustration. Before she actually made her way to the Treasury box, we hear Jesus severely criticizing the authorities who were there. He opens with, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers’.

Coming down hard on those in attendance, Jesus is trying to point out that faith that is based on looks alone, merely on appearances…faith that is practiced so that others looking upon you are impressed with your obvious and devout ‘holiness’, is truly not a faith that is pleasing to God. For it is faith in name only,faith that is more of a noun, like a garment that you put on to go out in public, but take off when no one is looking. Jesus was criticizing the Scribes for a ‘faith’ that was held and practiced for all the wrong reasons.

But there is more…for you see, the giving of offerings to the Temple was not an act of choice as it pretty much is today, but rather, one’s financial obligation to the Temple was not up for debate…it was expected, and in fact demanded of all, regardless of one’s personal circumstances. The scribes exerted pressure on all of the faithful to contribute their share of the Temple offerings, in effect a ‘Temple tax’, regardless of their ability or inability to pay. Jesus is here singling out the scribes because in enforcing this rule, they were neglecting their calling as leaders of the faith.

If someone, say our widow here, was unable to pay their offering, or was behind in their obligation, the Scribes would seize their earthly assets in order to settle their debt, even to the point of ‘robbing widows of their houses’! It was this that so offended Jesus, as this harsh treatment of widows was not only contrary to the nature of God, but directly in conflict with the Law of Moses. In Exodus Chapter 22 and verses 22 and 23 we hear, ‘Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.’ And again in Deuteronomy Chapter 24 and verse 17 we hear, ‘Do not deprive foreigners and orphans of their rights; and do not take a widow’s garment as security for a loan.’

Jesus was so deeply offended because the Scribes, the leaders of the faith, had so perverted the Law and had done so for their own gain. This was both the epitome of greed, and a total repudiation of their sacred duty to God and towards those in need. The widow was fearful of what might happen to her if she was unable to at least make a show of giving an offering, and her meager pittance served as an example, calling out the corruption that was rampant in the Temple culture. She gave what little she had so that she might escape the ‘wrath of God’ which the Temple Authorities threatened would surely come and find her should she decide to hold back even in the slightest her contribution to the funds of the Temple.

But in addition to, or perhaps more than that, Jesus was critical of the other side of the coin as well…critical of those who were of the elite or upper class who in fact did have the means to give lavishly to the Temple Treasury and who in doing so, often made a big show and pretense of their giving…flaunting their wealth as they in effect partnered with the corruption in the Temple administration. He was critical of faith that was there just for the show…faith as a noun. These, who in fact did have funds way beyond their needs, were just as much at fault. These who were wealthy could have put their excess funds to better use by directly relieving some of the hardship of the poor among them such as that suffered by the poor widow.

Jesus was seeking to share that true faith, faith that genuinely revealed the love of God was quite opposite from the actions of the Temple Authorities. Faith that was true to the nature of God was faith that showed compassion, faith that extended kindness and love, faith that reached out and supported those in need, helping the less fortunate, lifting up those such as our widow…faith that saw a need and took action…faith that was very much a ‘verb’.

As the writer of the book of James tells us, ‘Draw near to God…and God will draw near to you’.  That is the surest way to know the truth, and to discern that which is false and misleading.  If one prays diligently and seeks to know and to share the truth of God’s love in all they do or say…if one seeks to truly love one another, then they will find that they are in fact centered in the will of God.

And that truth, that faith that is defined by actions of love and kindness will keep you safe, will direct your thoughts, bring lasting peace, and a deep sense of joy within.  And, it will make you a port in the storm for all those around you who are tossed about in endless waves of fear, confusion, or real need. If you remain centered in the truth of God you will never ‘rob a widow or anyone else of their home’, for the overriding consciousness of the Spirit that is present within you, will guide and keep you safe in God’s good grace.

Seek a faith that hears or sees, and then responds with love and grace…

…resist false and fearsome narratives, and journey forward…

…for every truth needs someone to tell it, and the truth of God’s love that casts out fear…

…needs one most of all

…amen