Widows’ Stories Revisited

Widows’ Stories Revisited
Pentecost 25; Mark 12:38-44; Ruth 3:1-5, 4:3-17
Though Jesus and a scribe spoke with respect,
and shared what love of God and neighbour meant,
the scribes with pompous egos he’d reject,
and call them hypocritical and bent.

He claimed that widow’s houses they devour,
then make a show of lengthy pious prayer.
They used the law to profit by their power
which should have been their means to offer care.

Then Jesus noted how a widow tossed 
her last coins in the temple treasury -
a gesture of despair at all she’d lost,
or selfless act of generosity?

For Ruth, Naomi had a risky plan –
perhaps it was these widows’ last resort?
The harvest over, they must get their man,
or starve if legal justice was not bought.

So Ruth uncovered more than just the feet
of Boaz sleeping off his harvest fest.
He’d showed regard her body must complete:
stir him to make his kinship claim the best.

These stories have a sentimental guise,
with love and faith portrayed as pure and sweet;
or is the truth two women, earthy wise,
and one defiant victim of deceit?
	Barbara Messner 6/11/2024