Why is it, do you think, that there is such an emphasis on the fact both the women mentioned in the Old Testament and Gospel readings were “widows”. Why isn’t it enough to say “women”? What is it that makes their marital status so important?
One widow, being asked by Elijah for food, shared what she had – albeit slightly reluctantly; the other putting her last two coins into the collection at the Temple. But why the emphasis on their widowhood?
It is because, in a way, “widow” is being used as a sort of shorthand expression for all those in need. Throughout the OT there are references to the need and obligation to provide for “widows and orphans” – those who have been left destitute. Without a husband to provide for her, a widow would rely on help from those who could afford it.
Yet here we have the images of two widows who are willing to give of what they have to help the men of God: the prophet Elijah, to support the Pharisees, scribes and other Temple workers. This second widow gave all that she had – the Greek word used actually means “her life” – not holding back or thinking “maybe I’ll keep one of these pennies so I can eat tomorrow”. To be quite frank, if that had been me I wouldn’t have been giving either of my two coins!
And this incident from the life of Jesus is often held up as a shining example of how we should give to the Church. This poor woman was willing to give everything to support the work of the Temple – what about you? What are you willing to give?
And that’s a good question. What are you – or I – willing to give? At Convention, Bishop Mark spoke about the sacrifices we are called on to make to follow God. And one of these was indeed “our treasure”. He talked about how, for many of us, what we pledge to the Church amounts to no more than “a tip”, a “pourboire” – it certainly isn’t a sacrifice. We have carefully considered what we can afford, what amount of money we will not miss, and we give that. It can be the same with our time and our talents – I can give this much time to church unless something better comes along…
In this month when we think about stewardship, and renew our pledges, the story of the widow giving her everything is a sobering story. She gives as an act of worship, responding to God’s overflowing generosity and graciousness. I give slightly reluctantly, calculating whether or not we can afford a holiday if I pledge a little more to the Church. Mine is a rather penny-pinching response to God’s bounty.
Of course, it is understood that not everyone has the same amount of money; that what is a mere bagatelle to some of us, is the difference between choosing whether to heat the home or have food to eat for someone else. This is why at Christ Church we talk about time, talent & treasure. Your talents and your time are as valuable as your money – all can be used to furthering God’s Kingdom. It is never the size of the gift that matters – either to us, or to God – but the manner in which it is given.
One commentator writes: Jesus knows that what we withhold may matter more than what we offer. The widow held nothing back. We are to give, knowing everything we have is God’s already. We can’t give God anything, but we can offer our very selves to the Kingdom of God, holding nothing back” Or, as another commentator puts it “God doesn’t expect our generosity. He expects our all”
So, there it is. Jesus pointing out to his disciples the wonderful example given by this woman, who, without calculating the cost to herself, gives all she has to God. The disciples nodding and admiring the faith of this woman. And us, understanding that we are being called on to also give with the same faith and open heartedness as her.
And yet…
Maybe there’s another message to take from this. What had Jesus said just before this little teaching moment? “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 honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.” It is these people who the widow is supporting, instead of the other way round – as it should be.
Maybe Jesus wasn’t holding up the widow as an example of sacrifice, but rather was he decrying the circumstances, the system that obliged her to have to make such a sacrifice? Maybe he was pointing to her and saying “Look at what this woman is forced to do by the unfair, oppressive system that we all just accept as the norm. Doesn’t it make you angry? Doesn’t it make you want to DO something?”
All through the OT the command of God rings out: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart,” exhorts Zechariah. “You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child” says Exodus “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute,” from the Psalms. Again and again, we hear it but the Pharisees of the time were, in Jesus’ words “devouring widows’ houses”
Often this is the accusation levelled at the Church: the Church owns huge buildings, and other valuable real estate, has investments, uses gold chalices. Why doesn’t the church help these people? Why should we give to the Church who is richer than we are? These may be your thoughts: if I pledge money to Christ Church, it all goes to the Convocation, and the Convocation has money to burn, it employs too many people doing things that don’t help others…
And if you do think this, I promise you, this is not the case. At Convention, Bishop Mark explained very carefully how the budget is used. Yes, a fairly large proportion goes on administration costs – but that is what the Convocation is about: helping and supporting the Episcopal churches and missions, the clergy and the people throughout Europe. And the rest of the money? Well…
Look at her, says Jesus. Really look at this woman. What has she gone through? How is she living, oppressed, poverty stricken, treated unjustly? For so many people she is a nobody, she is invisible, her two coins are worthless. But God sees her. Not only that, but God loves her and for God she is as precious as any rich young ruler, or Pharisee.
That widow that Jesus pointed out to his disciples is reflected in the migrants and refugees that the Convocation supports through the Refugee Grant system, through individual programmes and through the Joel Nafumo centre in Rome; she is there in the young people being nurtured through the Youth commission; she is among those helped and validated through the work of the Racial Justice and Beloved Community commission. She is part of the congregation at St Nino’s Episcopal Mission in Tbilisi, Georgia, threatened by the state, or any other congregation in need of help. All of these people are precious in God’s sight. All of them are worthy of dignity and love and respect. And the fact that all of them are in need should invoke a righteous anger in our hearts that 2000 years later, the poor are still being exploited, there is still oppression and injustice in the world.
That widow in all her forms is who we support when we honour our pledge to Christ Church. Those words from the OT are not just empty words, that mean nothing to the Christian in the 21st century. They are as urgent today as any other day: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.
One way we can all be involved in this is by pledging whatever we can to Christ Church, and in doing this, we pledge to the Convocation, and to the work being done across Europe. In doing this we demonstrate that God’s way is not the way of oppression, but the way of justice and love.
This is not at all the sermon I expected to preach when I started working on it. But it’s the sermon that appeared. I am directing this at no-one in particular and everyone in general, and I know it is speaking to me as much as to anyone else in the congregation. Nothing is said with the intention of making you squirm uncomfortably in your seats, but rather to encourage you – and me! – to really, prayerfully, honestly consider what God is asking you to give. And then to give joyfully, worshipfully and gladly to bring the Kingdom of God a few steps closer.
Comments