41¶And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.Mark 12:41-44
I have been contemplating what we call righteousness. It is certainly more than mere innocence. This story has wide applicability - more so than just monetary donations. But, would we cheer her as much, if we knew she struggled for the faith to cast in those two mites? Did she still cast in more than the rich men? Some days I feel like this widow, casting all I have in, but casting very imperfectly.
A fascination thing to ponder. I think that even if we struggle, as long as we are striving to do what we can, the Atonement makes up for the rest, I am not sure what happens when we do all we can when we don't want to. Does the Atonement still work if what has to be bridged is a lack of faith or testimony? I don't think I have that answer. Before hitting the bloggernaccle I wouldn't have guessed that there were so many people who struggled with their faith. I guess since my faith is what has always gotten me through all of my trials, I hadn't thought that the biggest trial might be having no faith.
ReplyDeleteThanks for succinctly asking a question that has been a feeling, but not one that I could put into perspective, or at least not this perspective.