As I write this article, I find myself singing the familiar song, “The Lord Hears The Cry of the Poor.”  In our scripture readings this weekend, 
widows play a prominent role.  We encounter two widows who remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Despite an uncaring world, they continued to care and maintain hope.  God heard their cry and saw their faithfulness.  From the example of these widows, we come to understand that justice and mercy are essential to our call as Christians.  

Over the span of history, from the time of Jesus until today, we see an unfortunate dynamic play out before our eyes, where women, widows and orphans, bear the brunt of poverty, oppression, and injustice.  We only have to look at Gaza or Syria to see this dynamic repeat itself as the world watches in horror.  Power is not found in the example of the scribes and religious leaders who feasted on attention or in military might, but rather true power is found in the widows who quietly and faithfully live their faith.

The Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus proclaiming that the Reign of God was at hand and inviting people to repent and believe the Good News.  With few exceptions, the miracles in Mark’s Gospel are reserved for people on the margins of society, teaching us that God sees and hears us in our time of need.  God’s ways are not always our ways and Mark invites us to a change of heart, were competition, indifference, and violence are replaced with love, compassion, and mercy.  

The message I find in this weekend’s scriptures is a warning to us that being a Christian is not about appearing to be pious for the world to see, but rather having a heart of love and hands of service, seeing and hearing our sisters and brothers in need.  Faith has little to do with how the world sees us, rather, faith is about living and sharing God’s love even when no one is watching.

May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.

Fr. Harry