2 Tim 4:1-8 / Mark 12:38-44
It is in the tainted human nature that there is a tendency to be proud and egoistic.
In giving in to pride and ego, we want to get the attention to ourselves.
We want to be the loud sound so that everyone has to listen to us.
We want to be the bright light so that everyone has to look at us.
It is like what Jesus said about the scribes in the gospel.
Those scribes like to walk about in long robes, be greeted obsequiously by others, take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets.
But they are ones who swallow the property of widows while making a show of lengthy prayers.
And Jesus also gave this warning: The more severe will be the sentence they receive.
That warning from Jesus is also no less for us.
Pride and ego are like bottomless pits that cannot be filled.
They are also like a fire that burns up everything.
May that poor widow be the image and the message that we will remember from today’s gospel.
And may that image and message help us to be simple and humble before God and before others.