Earlier this week, we learned the results of the Presidential election. It is the end of a long, hard-fought, and at times ugly campaign. Some of us may be celebrating the outcome. Others may be disappointed, even devastated, by the results. Wherever you are on the political spectrum, however you are feeling, it is important to remember today and every day that as followers of Jesus, we are a people of hope. We extend grace and love even to those with whom we disagree. And it’s important to remember, too, that unlike some other spaces right now, St. Bart’s is a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what your politics or identity might be. We strive to offer the kind of radical hospitality that Jesus offered to outcasts and sinners, rich and poor, the powerful and powerless, to anyone who sought to follow him.
As we contemplate the direction our country will take for the next four years, we have the opportunity on Sunday to learn about the visionary leadership of Frances Hesselbein. A long-time friend of St. Bart’s, Hesselbein counseled military and business leaders and served as the CEO of the Girl Scouts for fourteen years. Her motto was “To serve is to live.” At the Forum, the makers of the new documentary Defining Moments: The Life and Leadership of Quiet Revolutionary Frances Hesselbein will discuss her transformative work. A screening of the film will follow the 11 am service.
In our readings this Sunday, we will hear the stories of two widows. In the ancient world, widows were among the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community and the Bible tells us that God’s people were called to care for them. The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 18:8-16) was a desperately poor woman who is called on by God to feed the prophet Elijah out of her meager supply of flour and oil and receives an abundance of food in return. In our Gospel reading (Mark 12:38-44), we hear the story of the widow who was praised by Jesus for her tiny offering of two small coins.
Biblically speaking, widows are important signifiers, letting us know that we should pay close attention to what is going on in the story. Both of these stories overturn our expectations, as desperately poor women give generously even from their scarcity and are seen and recognized by God.
God’s people care for the widows. (Although one may well ask, if caring for widows was so important, why were these women not empowered to earn a living, own and inherit property, and determine their own future? But perhaps that is a question for another day …) The “widows” are still among us to this day as we seek to care for the marginalized and vulnerable people in our midst. That has always been the call of God’s people and that will always be the call of God’s people regardless of election outcomes.
If it feels like the world has turned upside down this week, know that the God we worship is present even in the tumult, even in the despair. Come and be with us this Sunday to pray and sing together. The tales of two widows will show us a way of hope and that God shows up in the most unexpected places.
