Right Judgment

Today’s Gospel Text:  And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living." Mark 12:38-44

Reflection: Why would they do it? Why do the Scribes or people in general, especially those in authority behave in such a manner?

They are spiritual and they have God as the center of their outlook and in all that they do? Is it not enough that they are spiritual or do you doubt now their spirituality because Jesus has exposed them.

Yes, indeed by all standards they are spiritual creatures but Jesus has a word of caution concerning these. He invites us not to pass a judgment but to observe and analyze them and then to make our judgments whether to follow them or to be beware of them.

Thus it is not a judgment of condemnation that we are to make, which privilege and authority belongs only to Jesus but rather a judgment of observation and analysis wherein we are careful and discerning in all our ways; a judgment in which we depend on God and seek his wisdom. 

"Beware of the scribes” (vs 38b) 

Let not our observation of such peoples make us envy and appreciate their wicked ways or to be gullibly carried away by them.

Nor should it lead us to imitate them and their prosperity among the people, which includes the many honors they receive from people and their adulations.

The passage is an assurance that God is the observer of all that is not visible to the human eye and is able to bring things to the light, if not now then at least at the judgment.  

Prayer: Lord, purify the motives of my heart that I may be true to you and your word and thus find cleansing in your holy presence.

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