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38 As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." 41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." (Mark 12:38-44 NRSV)
Dear Friend, please be in prayer for the family of The Rev. Beverley Burk, who died this weekend. Beverly is the wife of The Rev. Ricky Burk and alongside him served at Boerne FUMC before going on medical leave. Nellie and I came to know Beverly well when she accompanied us to Princeton, NJ, on a trip for the Board of Ordained Ministry. Beverley was a woman of faith and compassion. Her leadership blessed many and her ministry was cut short by her medical challenges. We mourn her life, but celebrate her faithfulness and fruitfulness in her service to our Lord.
I had only one grandmother growing up. My maternal grandmother Bernarda Jimenez, died when my mother was eleven years old. Petra Valverde was my Momó, who was with me throughout my life. She was the one who was divorced from my grandfather, and for many years worked as a housekeeper for a middle class family in Kingsville. An early memory I have of her is that the family with whom she worked had a loud parrot who knew her name and on some days while playing outside, I could hear that bird yell "Petra!" When we moved to Houston she moved with us. When I was ordained as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1976, she bought my first clergy robe,a black robe from Cokesbury which cost in 1976 dollars, $300. She had somehow saved money to make what I consider a major purchase. Needless to say it is my favorite robe which signifies to me a major accomplishment, a dream realized, and an achievment of faithfulness. The robe now shows its age in its inner sleeves, but serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that I have had during 46 years of ministry. I kiss it everytime I wear it and I say softly, "Thank you, Momo" trying hard not to get emotional with the memory of her and the pain of her absence from my life for many years now. I wear my robe when required, given that Texas weather makes those days seem extra special, having even worn that black robe in outdoor settings. I only once said no to wearing the robe when I was asked to do a beachside wedding. I wear the robe humbly, still questioning why God would see fit to call me into His service.
Jesus knew the hearts of some of those who wore robes in His day as badges of honor, and privilege. The robes of the scribes was required garb every day. Scribes were not required to marry because of the demand of their vocation to the Word of God. Their robes were part of their identity and it allowed them the special places these robes got them as Jesus mentioned, "greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets!" It even got them into places where God did not want them, as Jesus further states, the homes of widows where they "devour widow's houses," meaning they literally ate them out of house and home, and some even claimed the homes as their own upon death. And to add insult to injury, they were known for their prayers of length not heartfelt meaning.
As Jesus sat near the treasury of the temple, a brass receptacle in which coinage was deposited, He had a good place to see all the money the crowds were placing in their offerings and tithes. Many loved to impress others with the sound of excessive amount of their coins going into the brass object. Then comes a widow, among the most vulnerable and perhaps lowest in terms of fiances and standing in society, and she put in two coins worth a penny. And Jesus' reaction is awesome: "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live one." BOOM. When Nellie and I went to the Holy Land, the number one request for us to bring back as a souvenir for family and friends, was the widow's mite, as the older versions of the Bible calls the coin she uses. We brought back enough to share with those who asked.
This passage has drawn us into a profound confrontation between appearance and reality, wealth and worth, pride and humility. Jesus’ scathing critique of the scribes is not merely about their external behavior; it penetrates to the heart of their motivations and priorities. They seek honor and recognition, basking in their perceived superiority. Yet, amidst their grand gestures, Jesus points to a quiet act of extraordinary faith—a widow who, in her destitution, offers all she has.
This moment invites us to wrestle with some challenging questions: What defines our value as givers? Is it the size of our donations, or is it the spirit in which we give? We live in a world that often equates success with wealth and influence. Jesus disrupts this narrative, teaching us that true generosity is measured not by the quantity of our contributions, but by the sacrifice involved. Are we more concerned with how we are perceived by others? The scribes loved the praise and recognition of men. In contrast, the widow’s anonymity and humility showcase a different kind of giving—one that arises from a deep trust in God’s provision. What might God be calling us to give? Like the widow, we may feel we have little to offer—be it time, resources, or talents. Yet, God values our willingness to give everything we have, no matter how small it may seem in the eyes of the world.
In a society that often prioritizes accumulation and recognition, this passage beckons us to redefine generosity. It urges us to examine our hearts and to consider what true sacrifice looks like in our own lives.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the example of the widow who gave all she had. Help us to reflect on our own giving and to recognize the areas in our lives where we can offer more, trusting in Your infinite provision. May we seek to serve others in humility and love, not for recognition, but as a reflection of Your grace in our lives. Empower us to give freely, even when it feels like we have little to spare. Let our acts of generosity shine Your light in a world that often values the superficial. In Jesus’ strong name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let us take a moment to reflect on our own giving—financially, spiritually, and relationally. Are we holding back because we fear we do not have enough to contribute? Challenge yourself to give in a way that stretches your faith this week. This might mean donating time to serve a local charity, reaching out to a friend in need, or even providing for someone who is less fortunate than you. Why not take time to anonymously bless someone without seeking recognition or reward. Let this act of giving become a testament to your trust in God’s provision, mirroring the widow’s humble heart.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
