Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus
We have now entered into the Fourth weeks of the Holy Lenten season. Hope that this Lenten season is a blessing unto you all. Let us look at today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Mark 12:35-44. I would like to bring your attention to two key verses here:
"Beware of teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished." - St. Mark 12:38-40
How many of us pretend to be pious in our day? We tend to make long prayers, carry the Bible around and also mouthing off each and every verse accurately from the Bible, but do we truly love our God, whom we profess? If not, then are we not hypocrites, just like the Jewish teachers? Jesus hated the hypocrites who hope to gain status and recognition and respect through their pious actions. Jesus warned against making a good impression on others.
True followers of Jesus are not distinguished by showy spirituality. Reading the Bible, praying in public, or following church rituals can be phony if the motive for doing them is to be noticed or honored. Let your actions be consistent with your beliefs. Live for Christ, even when no one is looking.
Secondly, by showing His disciples the example of a poor woman putting in money in the collection box, Jesus is teaching us on how to make our offerings before God.
"I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they give a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on." - St. Mark 12:43-44
The widow here gave all that she had to live on as an offering unto God. When we consider giving a certain percentage of our income a great accomplishment, we resemble those who gave "a tiny part of their surplus". Here Jesus was admiring generous and sacrificial giving. As believers, we should consider increasing our giving - whether of money, time or talents - to a point beyond convenience or calculations.
Dear Brethren in Jesus Christ, may god Almighty bless you and guide you during this Holy Lenten season. Please keep me, a sinful servant, in your prayers
Your Brother in Jesus Christ
Jobin George
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