Note: This passage raises questions about what Jesus means by noting the widow’s contribution. It is not clear whether he is commending her, condemning the authorities and/or both. We serve a congregation where we have many people living on fixed incomes in homes that are already paid for and who have very little, if any, “expendable” income, so caution and prayer are in order! For a discussion of the pitfalls of the passage, see
http://www.ekklesiaproject.org/blog/2012/11/the-lord-upholds-the-orphan-and-the-widow/ devouring the widows as primary to understanding “the widow’s mite”
Come let us love the Lord!
Let us Love the God with all of our heart, soul and mind
Come Let us love one another and love God!
Let us praise God!
EXEGESIS
From Working Preacher from the NL perspective:http://www.workingpreacher.org/search/Default.aspx?cx=001947499050786061073:fplx-aun2rq&q=:Mark%2012:28-44%20&cof=FORID:10&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&search_domain=WWW
Includes https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2585 addressing the horizontal/neighbor dimension as the necessary corollary to the vertical/Godward directive to love God and the widow’s mite as admirable due to her motivation.
Includes https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2585 which notes this is (for a change) a friendly scribe. Only addresses vv. 28-34.
https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1272 also addresses only vv.28-34 from the perspective of a communal (rather than individual) identity.
Includes https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2662, which notes that widow’s mite is tied to what comes before and, in addition to being about giving one’s all, it exposed the religious leaders for their hypocrisy. And, it may just expose us all!
https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2585 Podcast: If you can’t remember all the commandments, can you at least do two? Simple—but not easy. vv. 28-34
https://www.workingpreacher.org/narrative_podcast.aspx?podcast_id=730 Podcast addressing the status of the poor widow and the most vulnerable and her living out the loving of neighbor of the great commandment in the context of the temple & Jesus’ interactions with the religious leaders of the day. vv. 35-44.
Other exegetical resources
https://www.epriest.com/reflections/view/1071/en Catholic resource addressing love beyond formalism, love at the heart of our perfection.
https://episcopalchurch.org/library/sermon/there-are-times-proper-26-b-1997 This sermon includes an illustration and a poem; only addresses vv. 28-34.
http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/cdm/ref/collection/uni_sermons/id/3110 Sermon addressing loving God in the different ways of the passage (only vv. 28-34).
https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2016/03/07/love-your-neighbor-as-yourself/ What keeps you from loving your neighbor? Busyness? Not wanting to see need? Uses Bob Dylan’s quote: “May you always do for others and let others do for you” and has a story illustrating letting others do for you.
https://www.thebanner.org/columns/2018/08/serving-while-living-with-disabilities “Serving while living with disabilities” Every person is called to serve as they are able. Everybody belongs. Everybody serves. Addresses vv. 35-44.
https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/1871/whole-personed-spirituality Pastor’s Bible study addressing the synoptic versions of the Great Commandment. Addresses vv. 28-34.
https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/management-self-management-deuteronomy-6-sermon-notes Sermon series on loving God and loving neighbor.
Liturgical Resources
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/10/readers-theatre-mark-12-28-34.html Reader’s theater version of Mark 12:28-34
Here’s the link to my bulletin https://1drv.ms/w/s!AuB3z496aTHTgcEOBjQ3Twy3sqAMzQ
Prayer Reflection: Mark 12: 28-34
“Love the Lord, your God
with all your heart
with all your soul
and with all
your mind.”
Lord,
let this be.
Show us how.
“And love your neighbor as yourself.”
Lord
let this be
Take us where
we surely need to go.
Let
your love be
the lens that lets us see,
the power that enlivens our lives,
light that points to the path,
and the very grace
that saves
us.
Kindly fill us with your love.
— A. Osdieck. Copyright © 2011, The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University. Visit that site for other lectionary-based prayers.
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/06/call-to-worship-index-new-testament.html
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/06/prayer-index-new-testament.html
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2017/03/confession-assurance-index-new-testament.html
Benediction: The Lord is One
Here’s a closing commission and benediction based on Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Matthew 12:28-34. It was written by Nathan Nettleton.
Commission & Benediction
(inspired by Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 12:28-34)
Hear this: the Lord our God is the one and only Lord.
Therefore go out into the world
and love the Lord your God
with all your heart, soul, mind and strength,
and love others as you love yourself.
And may God give you justice and freedom;
May Christ Jesus set you free for love;
and may the Holy Spirit go where you go
……..and protect you on your way.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
…In the name of Christ. Amen.
~ Copyright © 2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net
Children’s message (includes hymn & prayer of confession, see below)
http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2015/10/year-b-proper-26-31st-sunday-in.html
Sing one song with which to love God and one about loving each other. Introduce each identifying its purpose. Two possibilities:
“For the Beauty of the Earth” for loving God
“Lord Help Us Accept Each Other” for loving each other
> Base the Prayer of Confession on the two great commandments. As you do, remember that children respond more to specifics than to generalities. So you may want to name the currently “in” sport rather than simply “our sports.” Read the commandments just before the congregation prays as follows
Lord God, we know that you are ONE and that you are the center of the whole universe
but we treat all sorts of things as if
they were more important than the one true God.
We say we give our hearts to you
but often our hearts are more devoted to
what we wear, to our sports, and to our friends.
We pour out our souls to you when we need you
but not when life is smooth and easy.
We mean to love you with all our minds
but our minds stray to what we want
and what others are saying.
We are more likely to use our strength to get what we need and want
than to get what you want for us and those around us.
We love the neighbors we choose to love
and only when they love us back.
Forgive us. Write your commands on our hearts and souls and in our minds. Work it into our muscles so that we may truly be your people.
We pray in the name of Jesus who poured out his heart and soul and mind and strength for us and forgives us when we turn on him. Amen.
SONGS:
HYMNS
Christ is made the sure foundation ELW 645, H82 518, NCH 400, UMH 559
Blessing and Honor ELW 854
Hymnary.org: https://hymnary.org/texts?qu=Mark+12%3A28-34&media=text&page=0
A new source I just found for contemporary Christian songs that includes the NL passages can be found at:
https://wordtoworship.com/search/node/%7BMark%2012:28-44;%20Psalm%2089:1-4%7D
For this pericope, they list:
By David Moffitt. As performed by ZOE Group.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:28-34
Related to tags(s): Reign (via Mark 12:36);
By Lincoln Brewster.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:30; Mark 12:33
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Jadon Lavik, Marc Byrd, et al.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:1-2
By Dan Dean, Gary Sadler.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:1
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Darlene Zschech.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:1
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Marty Sampson.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:32
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Ted Wortham, Cynthia Biggs. As performed by Cindy & Roy.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:38
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Keith Green, Melody Green-Sievright.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:2
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Jude Del Hierro.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:30
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
By Martin Smith. As performed by Delirious?, SONICFLOOd, Encounter Worship Band.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:1
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Brad Avery, David Carr, et al. As performed by Third Day.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30); Love (via Mark 12:30);
Come Now is the Time to Worship
By Brian Doerksen.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:30
By Stuart Townend.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:1
By Audrey Assad.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:33
As performed by Life Worship.
Related to verse(s): Psalm 89:4
By Matt Crocker. As performed by Hillsong.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1); Love (via Mark 12:30); Name of Jesus (via Mark 12:35);
By Lloyd Oliver Willis Sr.. As performed by Dennis Brown.
Related to verse(s): Mark 12:38
By Audrey Assad, Chris Tomlin, et al.
Related to tags(s): Poverty (via Mark 12:41); Love (via Mark 12:30); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Chuck Butler, Joel Parisien, et al. As performed by Audio Adrenaline.
Related to tags(s): Poverty (via Mark 12:41); Social Justice (via Mark 12:31; Mark 12:40); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Mark Hall.
Related to tags(s): Social Justice (via Mark 12:31; Mark 12:40); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, et al.
Related to tags(s): Social Justice (via Mark 12:31; Mark 12:40); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Tim Hughes.
Related to tags(s): Social Justice (via Mark 12:31; Mark 12:40); Poverty (via Mark 12:41); Justice (via Mark 12:31);
By Ben Fielding, Sam Knock.
Related to tags(s): Social Justice (via Mark 12:31; Mark 12:40); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1); Justice (via Mark 12:31);
One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)
By Brian Johnson, Christa Black, et al. As performed by Kristian Stanfill, Jesus Culture, Bethel Live.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30);
By Chris Rohman, Jason Ingram, et al.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Keith Getty, Stuart Townend.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Vicky Beeching.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By David Crowder, Mark Waldrop, et al. As performed by David Crowder Band.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Edward Mote, Matt Redman, et al.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Name of Jesus (via Mark 12:35);
By Beth Redman, Matt Redman.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Michael Gungor, Michael Rossback. As performed by Gungor.
Related to tags(s): Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1);
By Allen Salmon, Jon Neufeld, et al. As performed by Starfield.
Related to tags(s): Social Justice (via Mark 12:31; Mark 12:40); Poverty (via Mark 12:41);
By Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30);
By Charlie Hall.
Related to tags(s): Justice (via Mark 12:31); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1); Witness (via Mark 12:33);
By Brenton Brown, Don Williams.
Related to tags(s): Mercy (via Psalm 89:1); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, et al.
Related to tags(s): Messiah (via Mark 12:36); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Twila Paris.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Brad Avery, David Carr, et al.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Paul Oakley.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Martin Smith.
Related to tags(s): Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Melody Green-Sievright.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Messiah (via Mark 12:36);
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
By Stuart Townend. As performed by Instrumental Worship.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Craig Musseau.
Related to tags(s): Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1);
By Beth Redman, Matt Redman.
Related to tags(s): Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche.
Related to tags(s): Judgment (via Mark 12:40); Kingdom (via Psalm 89:4); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1);
By Chris Tomlin. As performed by Encounter Worship Band, Robin Mark.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30);
By Graham Kendrick.
Related to tags(s): Love (via Mark 12:30); Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42);
By Israel Houghton.
Related to tags(s): Faithfulness (via Psalm 89:1; Mark 12:30); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1);
By Jeremy Riddle.
Related to tags(s): Justice (via Mark 12:31); Mercy (via Psalm 89:1); Love (via Mark 12:30);
By Rend Collective Experiment.
Related to tags(s): Sacrifice (via Mark 12:33; Mark 12:42); Love (via Mark 12:30);
katyandtheword 
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