Gospel reflection for Nov. 10, 2024, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus was never wary of taking on the Scribes and Pharisees, even when he was surrounded by them. In the Temple precincts, during the Passover festivities, the plaza was teeming with them, and here Jesus warned the crowd to beware of them, for they were known to destroy the lives of the poor, of widows and of orphans, for their own gain and to demonstrate their magnanimity before God. Jesus was able to use as a foil in this conversation a poor widow who deposited into the Temple treasury the only money that she had. Her poverty and her faithfulness stands for us as a power of faith, and total reliance on God.
She stood in stark contrast to the Pharisees who were also placing their offerings in the Temple Treasury. Bedecked in their finest robes and accompanied by an entourage of their peers and servants, the Pharisees made much fanfare over their offerings. This became more show than substance, and in some ways became a source of disgust among the people.
While one never wants to make a judgment about the Pharisees, as most of them were well-meaning, there still remains the question about the impact that using religious faith as a means of demonstrating power or influence over another becomes manipulative and often a turn-off for others.
In evoking the image of this elderly widow Jesus grated at the power and influence of the self-righteous and offers us a similar challenge today.
It is not uncommon for people to talk about the damage done to them or to a member of their circle by a priest or religious who used their position in ways that were more harmful or destructive than pastoral and helpful. While the scandals which have rocked the Church in the recent past have destroyed the lives and the faith of countless persons, pastoral insensitivity and manipulative power have done so in even more significant yet immeasurable ways. Pope Francis often warns the Church against clericalism, and in a recent interview when asked what he hopes for the future of the Church his comment was that clericalism would cease.
While clericalism as such points us directly to the clerics, bishops, priests and deacons, it includes the prerogatives of the religious as well. Yet it is now not only those who exercise power within the Church and who are guilty of using their Church positions as a way of manipulation and coercive control.
In times past it was not uncommon for someone to have to go through an intermediary — the housekeeper, the pastor’s mother or sister, or the secretary in order to even get to the priest. Now, with the expansion of pastoral ministers and parish staff, there are multiple layers of people who exercise what is seen as power or control in particular situations.
It is easy to fall into the institutional trap of using ministry to manipulate others.
This elderly widow stands for us as an example of someone who is so authentic and faithful, as to not be either embarrassed or manipulated.
She could have avoided the situation altogether and perhaps, in seeing the crowd have gone on her way.
She didn’t. She remained faithful, did her due diligence, made her offering and didn’t care about the people or situation around her. There were plenty of Pharisees and other religious figures around. She did what she knew was right and cared nothing about the response or reaction of others. She knew that her few silver coins were as meaningful as were the bags of gold coins deposited by others.
We cannot allow ourselves to fall pretty to our own lack of resources, power, or influence. For our part, we are called to do small things, in ordinary ways, to carry-on the mission of Jesus Christ.
This elderly woman is the patron saint of all of us.
Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.