“Publicity hounds”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Saturday, February 18, 2023

Mark 12:35-44 (Forward, p. 20) CEV p. 1045

The press and television abound in people who simply love to get their names and photos out there before the public. In some cases, it doesn’t even matter whether the publicity is positive or negative, just as long as it is ‘out there’.

Interestingly, this is nothing new and Jesus has some very strong words to say about such publicity seekers as existed in His day. He mentions several ways in which they sought the spotlight of public attention:

a) By their dress. Like some flashy dressers at the Oscars or movie openings, they could be ‘seen a mile away.’ However, there was more to it than just that. The long, flowing robes that these people wore made it impossible for them to engage in any serious work or even to be involved in any strenuous exercise. They were literally ‘men of leisure’ and liked to be seen, recognized and honoured as such. In addition, the unnecessarily long tassels that adorned the edges of their robes would mark them as serious men of prayer.

b) By their presence: these men liked to be seen and so they made a special effort to be out in the public, and particularly in situations where people were bound to take notice of them, places like the synagogues and banquets where there was special seating--quite evident to everyone--for guests of honour;

c) By their prayers: some of them were also notable for their long-winded, meaningless prayers—essentially, words piled upon words. With them there was no sincerity or reality to their prayers—it was all for show, all to impress others;

d) By their claim for public support. Jesus’ denunciation of these folks for robbing widows out of their homes may seem out of place here, but actually it ties in. Rabbis and teachers/ students of the Law were all expected to have a job on the side and to study and share their learning with others for free. But being ‘men of leisure’ (as mentioned above) made this quite impossible. So, what they did was to

convince certain gullible people, vulnerable people like widows, that there was no greater honour or privilege than to help support their ministry financially. And so, they especially preyed upon such women. (I’m afraid that this has always been the case!)

e) By their giving. (This shows up in a separate piece, but it applies as well). In the Court of the Women there were thirteen bronze upside- down trumpet shaped containers, meant for the receipt of offerings for the daily operations of the Temple. Those who were affluent would make a big show—and a resounding clattering noise to boot—of throwing in handfuls of coins. Everyone who was around immediately would know just how generous they had been. However, by contrast, the two meager coins that the widow put in would have made hardly any noise at all. But that was precisely the point: she was not putting them in for show—as the others were—but because of her genuine and heart-felt love of God.

However, as Jesus Himself pointed out in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) they won’t receive any reward from God in heaven; they have already received their reward on earth, in terms of all this recognition. So, it’s a question of from whom do we want the recognition, the praise, from God, or from others? And then, should we really be working to gain recognition at all? Maybe then, even more to the point, is the question of who are we actually serving, God or ourselves? Publicity hounds, regardless of what form it takes, are actually promoting and serving themselves, rather than God or someone else, regardless of the cause they espouse or the venue it takes. Surely, then, this is a word to the wise for all of us. Amen.

Forward notes: “For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (verse 44).

“This is a favourite Bible story. I remember listening to the Sunday School teacher retell the story. Someone who had nothing gave her all. She probably had bills to pay and children to feed and wondered how she’d pay for tomorrow’s bills, but still she gave those coins.

“We all would like to think we are the widow and everyone else is the flashy one. I have to pray and ask God to help me focus on my own two coins.

What am I living on, and what am I giving to others? Did I submit my pledge?

“Someone somewhere may look at me and see abundance, yet I see myself as giving my all. That’s when I pray and turn to Jesus and remember that I need to focus on me and my life, not on the person in the pew next to me.”

Moving Forward: “What would be your equivalent of the widow’s mite offering? Are you prepared to give extravagantly and sacrificially?”