By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Response: Psalm 146:7-10; Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28; Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
The name “Elijah” means “my God is Yahweh!” Proclaiming this truth is the prophet Elijah’s mission. That is, Elijah insists that the Israelites worship YHWH (“Yahweh” or “the LORD”) as the one true God. The problem is that Ahab, King of Israel, has begun worshipping the false god Baal — at the encouragement of his evil wife Jezebel. Many Israelites are likewise worshipping Baal. So the prophet Elijah announces to King Ahab that YHWH (the LORD God) will bring a terrible drought upon the land (1 Kings 17:1). Baal was believed to be a god who brought rain and fertility. The drought is a demonstration of the supreme power of YHWH.
During the drought, YHWH provides for Elijah. For a while, ravens feed Elijah at God’s command. Then YHWH says to Elijah: “Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you” (17:9). During the drought, people were starving. Widows were among the most vulnerable. Despite this, God is sending Elijah to ask for food from a poor widow. Furthermore, Elijah is an Israelite and the widow is Sidonian.
But Elijah obeys God’s command — he goes. Today’s reading describes the encounter. Elijah sees the widow as he arrives at the city entrance. He asks her for just a little water. She generously begins to get the water for him. But then Elijah asks her for a very small amount of bread. Although Elijah makes his request as small as possible, the widow has reached her emotional limit. She has only enough flour to make one final meal for herself and her son. She anticipates starving to death soon after. God has sent Elijah to ask a starving widow for food — in order that God might miraculously provide food for both.
Trusting in God, Elijah calms the widow: “Do not be afraid.” Elijah asks her to trust that the LORD God will provide food for her and her son. The widow trusts and obeys Elijah — just as Elijah had trusted and obeyed God. So her flour and oil were miraculously maintained by God for a year. She was able to feed herself, her son, and Elijah — despite the continuing drought.
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is a typical “Praise Psalm.” This Psalm (146) both begins and ends with “Hallelujah!” — which literally means “Praise Yahweh” (the LORD). “Alleluia” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Hallelujah!” The remaining verses give abundant reasons to praise the LORD, who provides for the needy.
Today’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews compares Jesus Christ to the high priest of the Jerusalem Temple. It especially refers to the liturgical actions of the Jewish high priest during Yom Kippur, which is a “Day of Atonement” for sins. Every year on that day, the high priest would enter the inner sanctuary of the Jerusalem Temple to offer the blood of animal sacrifices as atonement for sins. Today’s reading shows how Jesus’ actions are superior — he has entered heaven itself (instead of the Temple sanctuary), and he has offered his own blood as atonement for our sins. Further, Jesus’ one-time offering of his blood (on the cross) is sufficient for all time — in contrast with the yearly blood offering of the high priest on Yom Kippur.
Jesus “has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice.” Jesus has inaugurated a “new age” of God’s relationship with humanity. He has atoned for humanity’s sins by his one sacrifice on the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice remains effective for now and always.
The last verse notes that Jesus “will appear a second time.” This refers to Jesus’ second coming at the end of this age — so as “to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.” It is not necessary for Jesus to take away sin a second time when he returns — because he has already accomplished this for all time in his crucifixion.
Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ actions after he entered into Jerusalem to the welcoming shouts of “Hosanna” by the crowds (Mark 11:9-10). Mark’s Gospel sees Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as full of Messianic symbolism. Not long after, Jesus is crucified. But before that, Jesus teaches in the Temple area.
Jesus is opposed by many of the Jewish leaders, so in today’s Gospel Jesus criticizes some of them, saying: “Beware of the scribes.” He denounces them for seeking places of honor in synagogues and banquets. Further, Jesus suggests that they take advantage of widows, who were recognized by Jewish law as vulnerable and needing special protection. Jesus insists that the scribes will be condemned for their misdeeds.
After Jesus said these things in the Temple area, he “sat down opposite the treasury” of the Temple. As people passed in and out of the Temple, Jesus watched closely. The rich people were easy to notice — they gave “large sums.” But Jesus draws his disciples’ attention to a poor widow who “put … two small coins” into the treasury collection. Jesus declares this poor widow to be more generous than the rich donors because she had contributed from her poverty — in contrast to the rich who donate from their surplus wealth.
Mark makes clear that the “two small coins” given by the poor widow were truly a very small amount. This emphasizes the poverty of the widow. Even such a small amount was a true sacrifice for her. Her generosity shows her deep love for God. Jesus sees what others miss — and he insists that his disciples also recognize this.
By praising this poor, generous widow, Jesus is also contrasting her with the scribes whom he previously criticized. The scribes expected to receive the generosity of others — but they only sought personal honor and special treatment. Jesus is suggesting that the scribes are not worthy of such honor. Likewise, Jesus is contradicting his society’s view that this widow was of no importance or virtue. On the contrary, Jesus sees that she gives generously although she is living in poverty.