When this passage comes round for the gospel on Sunday, I all the time really feel a bit unusual as I learn it, sporting a protracted gown and sitting in the most effective seat. I sincerely hope I don’t devour widows’ homes and say long-winded prayers for look. The intent behind the scribes and the wealthy individuals placing in giant sums of cash is to place themselves larger than others. The pecking order doesn’t cease in center college. Adults nonetheless care about what they appear like, their clothes, and climbing the social ladder.
Right this moment’s readings remind me that appearances will be deceiving. Maybe when individuals seem to have all of it collectively, they’re overcompensating or in search of approval from others. They’re show-offs for a cause. Are you ever like this? Why?
St. Bernard of Clairvaux describes a ladder of humility and delight, ascending to God and rising in humility, or descending to 1’s wishes and following delight. Step one down the ladder is evaluating your self to others. That is straightforward to do. As a substitute, we are able to flip round and repent. You possibly can image Christ on the high of the ladder, encouraging you to step as much as him with humility. Like encouraging a toddler to take a couple of steps on their very own as they study to stroll, our Lord jumps up and down and claps after we flip round.
The widow places in two mites, not as a great luck allure, however as complete belief within the Lord. She does it in secret, not displaying off to others. The reward is for God and between the 2 of them. Simply as the oldsters who pray of their closets and never within the streets, what they do in secret is seen by God. Concentrate on you and God. Don’t care what others suppose or say.
The Rev. Sara Oxley is the rector of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland, Florida.
The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire
The Diocese of Ogbaru – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
