November 7, 2021
St. John’s United Church of Christ, Union, Illinois
Mark 12:41-44[1]
This story is known as The
Widow’s Mite. The poor widow has given all she had. He tells this story having
just warned the disciples to not be like the scribes with long robes who like
to be greeted with respect, have the best seats, and places of honor.
Appearances are not what is really important.
Jesus is trying to teach about
generosity. Our giving, our charity, offerings, and other donations are
important, not because they give us recognition, but because we get to
participate in the giving nature of God. The world in which we live often
expects reciprocity, quid pro quo, this for that, I give to you expecting to
receive something in return. This is not the nature of God’s giving.
God gives without any
expectation; in fact, without even the possibility that we can give in return.
God gives life, love, and if you think about it, everything; all we can return
is thanks and praise. Many of us don’t even give back that much. God never
stops giving, however. Out of love for us, God gave even the life of Jesus. From
John’s gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son”[2]
We have received an incredible
gift, the gift that we remember each time we come together around this table.
What then shall we give in return? Is there any gift can we give to God? Certainly,
we can follow the commandments. We know the Great Commandments: love God and
love our neighbor. That is what is required of us. And if we do those things we
do well. But if we truly want to respond to God’s gift, and give a gift of our
own to God, what have we to give but our very lives?
Let us, then, live our lives as
a gift to God. Turn aside, when the need arises, sacrificing our own comfort
and convenience, and tend to those who need us. It may not be easy. But we are,
each of us, given an opportunity to share in the giving nature of God. Amen.
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