Mark 12:35-44, Common English Bible

One of the prominent features of the Gospel of Mark is the role female disciples play in the narrative.  Jesus returns repeatedly to women as examples of faith and signs of the new creation.  In the social and political context of first century Palestine, they are truly examples of “the last becoming first.”  And this very familiar story from Mark’s gospel is an icon of the surprising social reality of the Kingdom of God.

Our passage is set in the Temple courtyards where Jesus is sitting and observing people giving their offerings.  As is often the case with Jesus, it is those whom society deems invisible who grab his attention.

Honor belongs to and is bestowed by God

True piety entails justice

True piety entails justice

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“God magnifies the margins!”