That’s What Gets Results!

Mark Twain, known as one of the nation’s “greatest humorists and the father of American literature,” would often use his quick wit to pick at the societal values of his day. For example, he wrote, “It’s not the passages in the Bible that I don’t understand that bother me so much. It’s the ones I DO understand.”

Today’s Gospel Lesson includes a passage that no one can fail to understand. But, in varying degrees, it bothers all of us. Jesus is watching as the members of the worshipping congregation deposit their temple offerings into the collection basket. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow puts in a tiny amount. Jesus then calls His disciples to Him and says, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had …” (Mk. 12:43-44).