ACC ~ Mark 12 v42

THE KINGDOM NOT FOR SALE

CHRYSOSTOM: Do not despair. One cannot buy heavenly things with money. … If money could purchase such things, then the woman who deposited the two small copper coins would have received nothing very large. But since it was not money but rather her intention that prevailed, that woman received everything because she demonstrated firm conviction. Therefore, let us not say that the kingdom may be bought with money. It is not bought with money, but rather with an unsullied intention that may demonstrate itself by means of money. Therefore, one answers, is there no need for money? There is no need for money, but for a Christian disposition. If you have this, you will even be able to buy heaven with two small copper coins. Without this disposition, one will not be able to do with ten thousand talents of gold the very thing that the two coins can do. Why? Because whenever you have many things and deposit a lesser amount, you have given alms, but not the same kind of alms that the widow gave. For you were not depositing it with the same kind of eagerness that she did. For she robbed herself of everything, or rather did not rob but gave to herself a free gift. HOMILIES ON PHILIPPIANS. [1]

[1] TLG 2062.160, 62.291.13-14, 17-33; cf. NPNF 1 5:251. Her intention prevailed, not her money. Money cannot buy blessedness in the kingdom.

MEASURING THE VALUE OF GIFTS

JEROME: The poor widow cast only two pennies into the treasury; yet because she gave all she had it is said of her that she surpassed all the rich in offering gifts to God. [1] Such gifts are valued not by their weight but by the good will with which they are made. LETTER 118, TO JULIAN 5. [2]

[1] Mk 12:43-44.

[2] Cetedoc 0620, 118.55.5.442.4; NPNF 2 6:223*.

THE SONG OF SERAPHIM

JEROME: I pass on to the widow in the Gospel who though she was but a poor widow was yet richer than all the people of Israel. [1] She had but a grain of mustard seed, but she put her leaven in the measures of flour; and, tempering her confession of the Father and of the Son with the grace of the Holy Spirit, cast her two pennies into the treasury. All the substance that she had, all her possessions she offered in the two testaments of her faith. These are like the two seraphim which glorify the trinity with threefold song [2] and are stored among the treasures of the church. They are like the two legs of the tongs by which live coal is caught up to cleanse the sinner’s lips. [3] LETTER 54, TO FURIA 17. [4]

[1] Mk 12:43; Lk 21:3-4.

[2] Is 6:2-3.

[3] Is 6:6-7.

[4] Jerome Letters 263* (LCL); Cetedoc 0620, 54.54.17.484.18; cf. NPNF 2 6:108.