The Wednesday after the Ninth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 20, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 12:38-44 (NKJV)
12:38 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Devotion
Jesus says the scribes will receive greater condemnation. He indicated the reason for this in Monday’s reading. “That servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required…” (Luke 12:47-48). It was God’s will to give the scribes the great responsibility of teaching His Word to the people, but they had misused it to give honor to themselves and oppress the laity with traditions.
Some of us, like the scribes, have been given more. Bishops and pastors, as well as government officials, supervisors, managers, parents, and teachers have been given additional gifts, honor, authority, and responsibility by God. Others of us, like the widow in today’s reading, have not been given such honor or position of authority, for example, children, the unmarried, and lowly employees.
Jesus warns that those to whom much has been given should not take their position lightly or use God’s gifts to honor themselves. Nor should they think that God is somehow more pleased with them than others. On the flip side, Jesus comforts those to whom little has been given. He is delighted with their faithful good works, no matter how insignificant in the eyes of others. For the value of our work does not come from us or our earthly position, but from faith in the merits of Christ.
Collect: Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of Thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
