Rector's Sermon - Sunday, 12 November 2006

First Reading	Psalm	Epistle	Gospel
1 Kings 17:8–16	Psalm 146	Hebrews 9:24–28	Mark 12:38–44

       Jesus did not emphasize the contrast between the poor widow who had offered to the temple treasury two small coins, representing virtually all she had, with the wealthy worshippers who had made a public show and had flaunted their giving so that they would be known as generous benefactors, because Jesus considered the disciples to be like the poor widow. Mark did not include this story in the Gospel because he thought the early Christians were in the same situation as the poor widow and needed to be exhorted to give all they had to their church. Nor do I wish to imply that we should hear this passage as a subtle reminder of how much we should give to the church. Jesus always avoided “how much” questions. Instead, Jesus gave examples of those who had given from their heart.

       That is why I like to retell the ancient legend from Jewish folklore of the two brothers who inherited the family farm with the condition that they would divide the harvest equally between them. They worked hard and farmed the land. The years went by until one day one brother got to thinking: It is not fair for us to divide the harvest equally, for my brother is married and has a large family while I am a bachelor. Certainly he requires more than I. So late at night, he would fill a sack of grain from his granary, sling it over his shoulder, go across the fields, and dump it into his brother’s granary. About the same time the other brother said to himself it is not fair for us to divide the harvest equally, for I have a large family to take care of me and help farm the land in my old age, but my brother is a bachelor with no one to look after him. He will need more provisions than I.  So late at night, he began to fill a sack of grain from his granary, walk across the fields and dump the sack in his brother’s granary. This went on for quite a while and neither brother could understand why their grain supply was never affected by their extra gift. Finally the inevitable happened, one night when the moon was full, both brothers met each other as they were coming across the fields with the sacks of grain on their backs. They laughed, they wept, and they embraced. Legend has it that it was on that spot where the brothers embraced that God told Solomon to build the temple. It was not enough to have a spot where people were told to worship and embrace God. It must be a spot where humanity showed what God’s grace is clearly like and humanity freely embraces each other.  

       The story of the two brothers; the story of Bartemeus, the blind beggar who regained his sight and followed Jesus as a disciple and presumably became a known member of the early church; the poor widow who gave all she possibly could, all reflect a true commitment from the heart. Again, Jesus never tells us how much, Jesus teaches us about heart. That is what the Gospel asks of us for it is at that spot where the heart touches the holy that God’s grace transforms whatever we offer. The holy spot sometimes is revealed late on a moonlight night, or along a crowded road outside a dusty village like Jericho, or when people are offering their gifts at worship. In truth the spot can be anywhere and happen at anytime. The lesson from the Gospel is really pretty straightforward.  God loves a joyful giver, a grateful giver, an hilarious giver, and never seeks or desires any other kind.

      And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.