Monday, November 5, 2018

25th after pentecost year b - mark

Mark 12:38-44
38As Jesus taught, he said,
“Beware of the scribes,
who like to walk around in long robes,
and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,
39and to have the best seats
in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!
40They devour widows’ houses
and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.
They will receive the greater condemnation.”

41Jesus sat down opposite the treasury,
and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
42A poor widow came
and put in two small copper coins,
which are worth a penny.
43Then Jesus called his disciples and said to them,
“Truly I tell you,
this poor widow has put in more
than all those who are contributing to the treasury.
44For all of them have contributed out of their abundance;
but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had,
all she had to live on.”

Queeries for the text:
How does respectability politics factor into the actions of the scribes?
Who likes to have the best seats today?
What do we do for the sake of appearances today?
How would people react today if their giving were being watched?
How does first century Mark know how much a penny is worth?
Is it Widow Sunday this week on purpose?
What does Jesus have to say about class and wealth in this passage?
What about people who are neither the poor widow nor the rich people?
What would happen if the poor widow and the rich people befriended each other like Harry and Ron?

What are your queeries?



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