Wednesday’s Thoughts on the sermon
The readings for Sunday’s sermon include Mark 12:38-44
Here are some preliminary thoughts on the sermon entitled, “How Old Are You?”
THERE IS A PART OF THE STORY WE KNOW
ALL TOO WELL. THE STORY OF THE WIDOW WHO GAVE TWO CENTS AND JESUS DETERMINED THAT SHE HAD MADE THE LARGEST GIFT THAT DAY.
If you have responses on this respond to the box marked ‘comments’. If you would like to respond to me directly write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
IT’S A GREAT TEXT FOR FINANCE CAMPAIGNS AS WE THINK ABOUT THE GIFTS AND PLEDGES WE MAKE TO THE CHURCH. WE PREACHERS WILL TAKE THAT TEXT AND WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE DO NOT GIVE THE WIDOW’S MITE TO THE CHURCH BUT WE GIVE WITH THE WIDOW’S SPIRIT. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT PRECEEDS THAT STORY THAT DIRECTS OUR THINKING THIS MORNING ON THIS SUNDAY WHEN WE HONOR THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH. IT COMES FROM JESUS. IT’S IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK, “BEWARD OF THE SCRIBES WHO LIKE TO WALK ABOUT IN THEIR LONG ROBES, TO BE GREETED OBSEQUIOUSLY IN THE MAKET SQUARES TO TAKE THE FRON SEATS IN THE CHURCHES AND PLACE OF HONOR AT BANQUETS; THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SWALLOW THE PROPERTY OF THE OLD PEOPLE, WHILE MAKING LENGTHY PRAYERS.” WHY ARE PEOPLE MEAN TO OLD PEOPLE? THERE IS A STORY OF THE WOODEN BOWL THAT SHOWS THIS: “A FRAIL OLD MAN WENT TO LIVE WITH HIS SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND THEIR FOUR-YEAR OLD GRANDSON. THE OLD MAN’S HANDS TREMBLED, HIS EYESIGHT WAS BLURRED, AND HIS STEP FALTERED. THE FAMILY ATE TOGETHER AT THE TABLE. BUT THE ELDERLY GRANDFATHER’S SHAKY HANDS AND FAILING SIGHT MADE EATING DIFFICULT. PEAS ROLLED OFF HIS SPOON ONTO THE FLOOR. WHEN HE GRASPED THE GLASS, MILK SPILLED ON THE TABLECLOTH. THE SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW BECAME IRRITATED WITH THE MESS. “WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT FATHER,” SAID THE SON. “I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF HIS SPILLED MILK, NOISY EATING, AND FOOD ON THE FLOOR.” SO THE HUSBAND AND WIFE SET A SMALL TABLE IN THE CORNER. THERE, GRANDFATHER ATE ALONE WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY ENJOYED DINNER. SINCE GRANDFATHER HAD BROKEN A DISH OR TWO, HIS FOOD WAS SERVED IN A WOODEN BOWL. WHEN THE FAMILY GLANCED IN GRANDFATHER’S DIRECTION, SOMETIMES HE HAD A TEAR IN HIS EYE AS HE SAT ALONE. STILL, THE OLY WORDS THE COUPLE HAD FOR HIM WERE SHARP ADMONITIONS WHEN HE DROPPED A FORK OR SPILLED FOOD. THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD WATCHED IN SILENCE. ONE EVENING BEFORE SUPPER, THE FATHER NOTICED HIS SON PLAYING WITH WOOD SCRAPS ON THE FLOOR. HE ASKED THE CHILD SWEETLY, “WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?” JUST AS SWEETLY, THE BOY RESPONDED, “OH, I AM MAKING A LITTLE BOWL FOR YOU AND MAMMA TO EAT YOUR FOOD WHEN I GROW UP.” THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD SMILED AND WENT BACK TO WORK.
