They devour the houses of widows and as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.” So, our 4 week miniseries concludes. Each of the texts featured a person and a path of faith (or the wrong way). Remember: James and John and the 10 (?), Bartimeaus (for tests takers multiple choice he’s the only right answer), the Scribe and now the widow. It’s very important we hear the context. Jesus the prophet is telling the truth about the scribal and priestly class. They have made his Father’s House a den of thieves. Who built the new Temple, in all its splendor and a wonder of the World? Herod, the sociopath who robbed and murdered. The temple clergy were thick with the Romans. The Temple economy generated immense cash with the leadership conveniently kept for themselves. Jesus was blunt and direct. Yes, he taught about sex (human desires that emerge from deep within like lust, greed, resentment and envy). Jesus taught marriage was between one man and one woman one time. Still, his teaching did not exclude humans on their way. I came across this in a book review in the Economist. Written in a pithy English style, it has a powerful point: “Though Jesus was fiery in his condemnation of greedy people, he had precious little to say about sex, celibacy and homosexuality. Yet, as one modern theologian pithily pointed out: “no medieval states burned the greedy at the stake.” Bartimeaus remains the model. Stealing from widows and the poor has no place in the reign of God. The Church, like any human group, has material needs. Contributions make possible our shared space, pay salaries for those who work for the Church and are shared with the poor. Doing our part means no one has to give what she or or he has to live on. A share is sufficient. Our Youth has an opportunity to reach a goal they set and worked very hard to achieve. They leave to participate in the annual National Youth Conference in LA. We are most grateful for each and every person who has helped. The Parish Market is very close. Thanks to our Knights and others for their leadership.