Commentary
Her
Whole Livelihood
Jesus
observes that the woman “contributed her whole livelihood.”
The word bios
translated here as “livelihood” can also be translated “life.”
Fr. Frank Moloney, SDB., suggests that the “double meaning is
intended” for out of love and trust, she in fact offers her life.
[1]
The
widow is poor. Some scholars suggest that the Greek word ptochoi
used
here to described her
indicates
that she is “the
poorest of the poor, a widow reduced to begging.” [2]
But
her poverty does not limit her generosity.
Jesus
is already in Jerusalem. His mission is near its climatic point. In
a short time, he would offer his own life to God and to humanity.
Do
I put limits on my generosity and service?
--------------
[1].
Francis
J. Moloney. The
Gospel of Mark, A Commentary.
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002; p. 247.
[2] http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com
Greek
has two words for "poor"--penes
and
ptochos.
Penes
means
"working poor." Ptochos,
on the other hand, means being destitute. To put it another way:
Penes
means
having to work. Ptochos
means
having to beg.
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