Education in Faith
In this gospel, Jesus condemns the scribes who parade their wealth, seeking earthly power and glory. They take the front seats in synagogue; and expect to be seated in the place of honour at banquets. Whilst parading their wealth and feasting at banquets, they are also swallowing up the property of widows – taking advantage of those in need. One of the duties of the scribes was to administer the proper payment of Temple taxes. Rather than a great act of generosity, we can now see the widow’s payment of Temple tax as a burdensome, heart-wrenching obligation to pay the very last coins she had to a corrupt, uncaring system. In this passage, whilst Jesus hates the scribes’ parading around and claiming honour that is not their due, what really sees him condemn them is their mistreatment of widows ‘while making a show of lengthy prayers’. We cannot praise God in prayer while at the same time mistreating our neighbour. That is hypocrisy! Our actions are an extension of our prayer. We cannot celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays and fail to live it the rest of the week!