An imaginary rendition of the widow
giving her two copper coins.

To Consider as You Explore

• Imagine yourself as a relatively poor Jewish peasant visiting the Temple for the first time. What does the Temple look like? What impressions do you have about watching sacrifices? How does all this make you feel?

• How would you interpret what Jesus does in the Temple? Is it a  "cleansing," a "disruption of normal operations," or something else? Is this violence, nonviolent resistance, or something else?

• Jesus not only attacks the oppressive nature of its economy, but also the very foundation of 1st century Jewish religious faith. What new foundation does Jesus suggest? In the faith Jesus proposes, which traditional Jewish spiritual practices recede into the background? Which now become prominent?

For Your Spiritual Growth

• How have the contours of your spiritual life changed after encounters with very wealthy people? With very poor people?

• Is what sense are you oppressed by some economic system? What might liberation look like?

* You may access this scripture reading at any time by clicking on the "Scripture" tab above.