Mark 12:38-44

Meditation: What is true religion and devotion to God? Jesus
warns his disciples against the wrong kind of religion. In his denunciation
of the scribes (the religious experts of his day), he warns against three
things: the desire for prominence rather than selfless service; the desire
for deference and recognition (and seeking esteem from others) rather than
seeking to promote the good of others through humble service and love;
and thirdly, attempting to use one's position (even a religious position)
for self-gain and self-advancement. True religion is relating rightly to
God and to one's neighbor with love, honor, and respect. The Lord puts
his Holy Spirit within us that we may be filled with the joy of his presence,
the joy of true worship, and the joy of selfless giving and love for others.
True reverence for God frees the heart to give liberally, both to God and
to neighbor.
Jesus taught his disciples a dramatic lesson in giving with love. Love
doesn't calculate; it spends lavishly! Jesus drove this point home to his
disciples while sitting in the temple and observing people offering their
tithes. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest of coins in contrast
with the rich who gave greater sums. How can someone in poverty give more
than someone who has ample means? Jesus' answer is very simple: love is
more precious than gold! Jesus taught that real giving must come from the
heart. A gift that is given with a grudge or for display loses most of
its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and
sacrifice, is invaluable. The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter
as much as the cost to the giver. The poor widow could have kept one of
her coins, but instead she recklessly gave away all she had! Jesus praised
someone who gave barely a penny – how insignificant a sum – because it
was everything she had, her whole living. What we have to offer may look
very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord's
disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with
it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Do you know the joy and freedom
of giving liberally to God and to neighbor with gratitude and love?
"Lord Jesus, all that I have is yours. Take my life, my possessions,
my time and all that I have and use them as you desire for your glory."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
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