Mark 12 ... As Jesus taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’
This story invites us to look for where God is already at work – and to join God’s efforts in seeing – really seeing - those in distress, those who are struggling, those whom the world names as ‘nobodies’ - helping to offer comfort and relief, and to work for a more just world in whatever way we can. Put simply: God notices – and invites us to notice as well. God cares, and invites us to care too. In God’s eyes we are all a ‘Somebody’ – with a capital ‘S’. God sees us – regardless of our circumstances. And God believes we all have something to contribute – that we can each make a difference – and that our actions, however small, can help bring into being the vision of the world God intends– a vision of Shalom: peace, wholeness and justice for all creation. And on this Remembrance Day, that is a good reminder to all of us.