Coffee With God

Reflection: Mark 12:38-44

From the beginning of his public life, Jesus came into conflict with the representatives of the religious institution, the scribes and the Pharisees. They called him a heretic and Jesus called them thieves and robbers who had turned the temple into a den of thieves. Today’s Gospel begins by presenting Jesus’ attack against the scribes. During the exile in Babylon there was no longer a temple, and therefore, the scribes gathered the people to listen to the reading from the Torah. When they returned from Babylon, the scribes became the official interpreters of the Word of God. Jesus denounced their behaviour: “They like to go around in long robes” to attract everyone’s attention. Jesus could not stand these comedies. A person united to God, to God’s thoughts, to God’s feelings, never worried about attracting attention to be admired. A prophet wants to be heard, not admired. To distinguish themselves from others and to show their superiority these spiritual and religious leaders used special attires. It’s a pathetic way of begging for attention, of seeking vainglory. The scribes of Jesus’ time are no more, but do we notice pharisaic behaviours today in our church communities? How often do we come cross people who try to enhance their personal glory by adding honorary titles to their names and by demanding the bowing and hand-kissing? If there is a ranking in the Church, the greatest ranking should be given to the disabled, the poor, the needy, and the sinner, because they were ones who became friends of Jesus. Anything that crated separations and division among people angered the Lord. The only time Jesus speaks of condemnation is against people who created divisions in the community. Today’s passage is a caution for the clergy and leaders of the Church who causes divisions in the community on account rites, rituals, traditions. Mark also presents the story of Jesus commenting on the offering of the poor widow in the temple treasury. We understand that Jesus was appreciating the selfless offering of the poor widow. Perhaps, there was something more to it. Jesus was already fed up with the temple administration and the evil deeds of the priests of the temple. How would he recommend the poor widow to contribute all her livelihood to such a corrupt system? He must have been expressing his discomfort by pointing out, “This poor widow has offered all what she had.” He must have been condemning a system that demanded an offering to the Church treasury even from the poor and the helpless! 1. Are clericalism and discriminations still a problem in our Church? 2. Is there anything that I can do to promote equality and fraternity in my community?