Worship Sundays at 9 am
This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
An act of faith is sometimes a crazy leap that almost no one else sees. In this Sunday’s lessons we have two widows each who give out of their poverty. The question of faith seems to hover around each of these stories. The widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17) has just a little food left in her cupboard and she decides to share it with a prophet of God who “happens” by.
In Mark’s Gospel (Mark 12), a widow who places two small coins in the temple offering and gives what may be everything she has on hand, in hope. It seems such a contrasting gift, in Jesus’ eyes, compared to the other gifts left by wealthy contributors. Jesus sees in this widow’s offering, out of her poverty, a great act of hope and faith.
What is it about vulnerable people in difficult circumstances who manage to do small things that show or lead to great faith? Does either of these widows believe they have done something significant? Jesus thinks one has, Elijah believes the other has. Yet probably neither of these women imagines they have done something significant – it was just all they had to give.
Perhaps if we had eyes for observing faith in action around us, as Jesus or Elijah did, we too might see great acts of faith in simple little gestures. Certainly, they would be in places we wouldn’t have expected and will not likely get notice in the local news. Perhaps we are also capable of small acts of great faith.
Oh Lord, give us hope that would allow us trust you with everything we have. AMEN
Pastor Mitch