Wrong Temple

Gospel: Luke 21: 1-4

This scene of the poor widow in the Temple takes place in the court of women.  Thus, those who are wealthy putting large sums in the donation coffers are women married to wealthy men or widows themselves who are well off or well-provided by others in their life.  The Temple had many receptacles for the reception of donations, but apparently no capacity to provide for poor widows in need.  

Man-made temples are supposed to assist and help human beings who are temples made by God to be his dwelling place in the world.  When man-made temples become ends in themselves and not a means to help others, they become a cancer and a harm.  They are like the barren fig tree that produces no fruit for others.  It only has beautiful leaves, an outward show, but no substance.

Today's reading is a reminder of the fact that religion pure and undefiled before God involves the care of widows and orphans - the showing of love and mercy to the most vulnerable and marginalized in our society.  Our offerings for the care of the living temple of God - human beings - is the goal of those who gather in man-made temples.  Those temples will have life and fruit to the extent that they care for the living temples of God on earth.