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Proper 27, Year B
November 9, 2003
Christ Church, Covington
“A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a
penny” (Mk 12:42).
Boldness is our theme today, and there’s something for everyone in this
sermon. Let’s start with three observations. First, economist Fred Knight
(New Yorker, March 10, 2003), on risk and uncertainty. Risk is one thing,
something one can calculate, while uncertainty goes beyond risk and
involves the incalculable. According to Knight, businesses only prosper
when they are willing to act in spite of uncertainty. Hunkering down in
the face of uncertainty is no more rational than acting with boldness,
which at least avoids paralysis and keeps business moving.
Second, the German strategist and theoretician von Clauswitz, one of the
initiators of the modern study of war. Clauswitz contended that a
distinguished commander without boldness, “the noble capacity to rise
above the most menacing dangers”, was unthinkable. (Clauswitz was no doubt
thinking about Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who was bold indeed.)
“Boldness governed by superior intellect is the mark of a hero”, he wrote.
“Boldness can lend wings to intellect and insight; the stronger the wings
then, the greater the heights, the wider the view, and the better the
results; though a greater prize… involves greater risks” (On War, Bk III,
c. 6).
Finally, an example from the time of the early Church. When Luke writes
about the first Christians in the Acts of the Apostles, the quality that
he keeps coming back to is “boldness” (Acts 4:13, 4:29, 4:31, 28:31). The
message of the Church is marked by its confidence and directness in the
face of persecution; in fact, this gift of confident freedom of speech is
counted as the gift of the Spirit given in baptism. Boldness is the fruit
of trust in God. So bold is the proclamation of the Church that it
overcomes the fearful pagan world, shaking and shivering in its doubt.
So we have boldness: taking the initiative in the face of danger and
uncertainty. It’s through this lens that we ought to look at the widow in
our Gospel today. This is the woman, dependant on her own resources rather
than those of her husband, who offers the two tiny coins. Unlike the
wealthy who have given far more, she has a lot at stake in her gift. As
Jesus points out, it is out of her poverty that she gives all that she
has.
But why boldness? Why not generosity? Because of the detail about the two
coins. This widow has a wonderful opportunity to play it safe. With two
coins, she can split the difference; give one and hold one back “just to
be on the safe side”. She would certainly still be extremely generous. The
widow is bold, however; like a successful businesswoman or a victorious
general she marshals her resources and concentrates her forces at the
point they are needed. Both the coins go into the treasury, presumably
because that is what is needed. Half measures won’t do. The widow trusts
God. Boldness is called for, even though uncertainty is the widow’s lot.
Boldness continues to be a Christian virtue. It takes boldness to live
life in days like these; to raise a family (what a gamble!); to keep
moving ahead in work and in relationships; to simply be a Christian in
situations of flux and chaos in church and society. Can you feel it? Do
you know what I mean? We may not feel very bold, but it is boldness that
the Gospel inspires. It’s boldness, confidence, that we need. Hunkering
down, hiding in the bunker, just won’t cut it.
Every sermon ought to have something to “take away”. The “take away” is
suggested by the story of the widow itself. It’s in our giving for God’s
work in the world that we need to be bold, to pick up both coins and put
them in. We too are uncertain; we too live with fear. But as the story
suggests, it is in our stewardship that we can act with boldness, and
discover our trust in God. I trust that this will be the case for you.
The Rev’d John Bauerschmidt is Rector of Christ Church, Covington.
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