ADVENT DAY SIX

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers.

Luke 20:46-47

Friday, December 6, 2024
Isaiah 3:8-15
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Luke 20:41-21:4

I confess to feeling guilty when I read Jesus’ words criticizing the scribes “who like to walk around in long robes.” That’s because I’m also one who usually walks around in long robes.

Jesus is critical of the scribes because they take full advantage of the privileged status they hold and are pretty unscrupulous in their dealings with the vulnerable, whom they are called to care for.

But Jesus’ harsh commentary extends beyond the scribes to anyone who fails to be mindful, to be aware of the plight of the poor among us.

Our call as Christians is to address the issues of injustice and not to ignore it. It’s not only a matter of how much we give, but also about how we make our money.

You see, everything in our economic system generates wealth only at the expense of something or someone else. We exploit the resources of the world, especially of impoverished nations, in order to have our goods delivered to us cheaply, or to increase the profit margins.

I have some highly principled friends who will not shop at Wal-Mart for that very reason.  I admit that, for me, it is difficult not to go in, especially when you can buy something for a few dollars less than the name brand store down the street. 

Therefore, I am hesitant to say don’t shop at Wal-Mart, or any other discount store for that matter. 

But ponder this thought when you enter any place to shop:  Where are their products manufactured?  Does the employee earn a living wage?  Do they have adequate benefits, such as health care?

You can expand these questions even further as they relate to your own material wealth.

Do you know where your retirement funds are invested or who they might be exploiting?

How we live and act, both individually and as congregations, is the kind of commitment to which Christ continually calls and recalls us, commitment not only of time and talent and treasure, but commitment of self, with a passion that becomes the power of Christ’s kingdom breaking into our lives in this time and in this place.

Let us pray.
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 826)

+      +      +

Artwork:
The Widow’s Mite, The Jesus Mafa Community, Cameroon, Africa (Featured Image)
The Widow’s Mite, Paulus Lesire (1611–1654), Dordrechts Museum, The Netherlands