Gospel: Mark 12: 38-44
The Christian life is one based primarily on virtue ethics, i.e. imitating the example of good people, primarily that of the Lord Jesus. It is not one based primarily on following a long list of rules. So today we have Jesus showing us two real life examples - one to avoid, another one to follow, in seeking to be holy in our lives.
Jesus invites us to imitate the example of the widow - to identify ourselves with the poor and those on the margins, to live a life of poverty, simplicity, and humility, and giving all in service to others. By contrast, we are to avoid the life of the scribes - a life of outward show of religious finery, cavorting with the rich and powerful, making large but meaningless gestures of generosity.
In our own day we can find examples of each for consideration. There are many simple, humble folk whose lives of simplicity, poverty, humility, and total service to others that reflect the example of the Lord Jesus. They are harder to find because they are not looking for attention and avoid the limelight. But these are the lives to imitate, not the ones we see in the limelight - those in religious regalia who consort with the rich and powerful.
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