Greed and ostentation

They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."(Mk 12:40)

The teachers of the law whom Jesus warned against to watch out had not only problems of lengthy robe, greetings and the most important seat but also had more serious problem as mentioned in the above verse. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. We do not know how they devoured widows’ houses and properties. Originally, the Jews give a special consideration to widows and orphans. The scripture says, “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” (Exo. 22:22,23) A widow or an orphan refers to self-defenseless people.

A religious law and a secular law (a positive law) are basically made to protect the weak. Those affluent sections of people with power can live without the protection of law but for the weak it is impossible. Such basic intended purpose of making law has been disappeared today. Even a law has become an instrument for the strong to extend and aggrandize his power.

The teachers of the law might not directly violate the law. He might demand exorbitant charge for giving a legal assistance to a widow. We can find such cases of lawyers today. What is more, this teacher of law for a show made lengthy prayers. It is an instance where they skillfully make a cozy relationship between material greed and religious ostentation.

Is it not a basic nature of human being? Those who do not focus on God naturally try to decorate their external religious outlook. Is it not the phenomenon of overflowing various programs and events such as worship services and prayer meetings conducted in Korean church a gesture to hide their secular greed?