Grace and peace to you from the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit “Hallelujah! Praise the LORD O my soul!” 

What a week it has been. 

From the visit of the Minnesota Adult Teen Challenge, a National Election, and this morning, is there a feeling of joy and praise? 

Perhaps like me you may be experiencing some fatigue, with our time falling back and preparing for the change of seasons. 

Having spent a few days in the cities, to do some winterizing on my home in St. Paul I have to admit that I am a little bit tired. 

My visit also included the celebration of my daughter’s 22nd birthday, which coincided with election day. 

I must say that it was a special moment to be together with my family as we all walked down to our polling place to vote together. 

One of our neighbors spotted us, while she was waiting for her daughter at the bus stop, and took a family picture of us. 

Like any big event there are many expectations; hopes, fears, and knowing that you matter. 

Much like when you have very high expectations for a Vikings win only to have them barely win or worse yet lose, either way I’m left with exhaustion. 

As much as I convince myself that I don’t have to watch the game or even listen to it, I am able to treat the game as entertainment. 

Either way I hope you had the opportunity to participate in our political system and vote.

You may be wondering what voting has to do with today’s gospel reading, and I will do my best to give you some thoughts, some reasons to praise the LORD. 

Number One; Jesus. 

How many of you were thinking of Jesus this week? 

Well I know that last Sunday I felt the presence of Jesus in the young men that came and shared their music and testimony with us. 

Those people to me are reasons to rejoice, to praise the LORD. Imagine where they would be without the Adult/Teen Challenge program. Without question they would not have been with us here. They shared heartbreaking stories full of reality. 

Addictions that pulled them further away from the loving embrace of God. 

Miraculously for many of them they hit rock bottom into the loving hands of Christ. 

I’m sure they heard the warnings, “Beware of..” only to live into the darkest days of their lives. 

As I sat listening to them I quickly realized how that could be me, a spouse, a child, or even your best friend. 

We live in a world that promises many things and often judges harshly with those who don’t live up to those expectations. 

We cast them aside, to the margins, they almost become invisible.

But someone is always watching, shepherding our lives. 

That someone is Jesus, who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

Jesus who comes to save us, oftentimes saves us from ourselves. 

When reading this story we see a familiar theme of abundance and scarcity. 

The rich are portrayed as the scribes, the elite religious class of the temple. 

The scribes walk around in long robes, and like to be greeted with respect, and given the best sets in the synagogues. 

I wonder who you picture in your mind when you hear about the scribes. Is it a former teacher, a pastor, or maybe even your neighbor? 

The scribes, for me, are people to be on the guard for, those who hold back. 

Do you recognize any scribes in your life? 

I know that I have prejudged people and held back my love of them. 

Are there places in your life that need attention, some guiding light and love? 

Where’s your poverty, your deepest unmet need? 

Furthermore the scribes look down their sharp noses as they devour widows' homes. 

Are you part of the solution or contributing to the problem?

The scribes were entrusted with the authority and financial backing of the temple to get things done and take care of people. 

Are their long, rambling, prayers just to look good, some kind of cover? 

According to Jesus if what is true about them is their lack of compassion and humility that destroys those in the margins then, 

“They will receive the greater condemnation.” 

I wonder how the scribes would have reacted and welcomed the adult teen challenge choir who visited last week, their testimonies and giving their life to Jesus to be with us? 

We watched and listened to them just as Jesus does for us. In a moment of observation Jesus sits down opposite the treasury. What is he looking for, who is he looking at? 

The treasury is the collection point for everyone to put their offering into supporting the Temple, which includes the priests and the scribes, who are supposed to use those offerings for the widows, children and those in the margins. 

Jesus notes that many rich people put in large sums and a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth about a penny. 

Immediately we may think this is all about money, how much, who gives what. 

The amount of money that people were giving seems appropriate, those who have more give more, but what about those who give everything?

Gathering his disciples he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put everything she had, all she had to live on.” 

Suddenly this is not about how much, but how systems impact our lives. Economic systems naturally develop into the have and have nots. 

If you are in your late 50’s or have been there you may have asked yourself, “Do I have enough?” 

Enough money to…? Fill in the blank, retire, keep working, give some away? 

The more you have the more options you have. 

The rich give out of their abundance, still having financial resources. For the poor facing a similar scenario the options are much narrower. Perhaps do I pay the heat bill or miss a meal? 

Can I get an additional job to make more? 

To me it sounds a little ironic that you may outlive your savings. Suddenly it appears that wealth is more important than relationships. The poor widow has a priceless relationship with God. 

She trusts God with everything she has.

Even in a world that treats her as nothing, as a widow who was not provided for by outliving her husband or family to care for her, as was the household economy. 

What looks like poverty is in fact turned into everything she has financially she gives. 

Who does that? 

Jesus doesn’t tell us to give when we have nothing to give. We are asked to follow. 

Sometimes going against everything that tells us what makes sense. To follow Christ, pitting everything we have to live on. 

Life itself is following Jesus. 

When you have nothing else to give, you can still give yourself. 

When you have tried everything to numb the pain or escape the reality of life, you can give yourself. 

When you have given yourself to Christ you receive the gift of life. 

Fancy robes, the best seats, and devouring widows is the world of abundance. 

Giving yourself to a new life in Christ is the kingdom of heaven. A heaven we are building right here on earth by practicing love. 

Jesus welcomes everyone with love. 

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul! AMEN