Mark 12: 41- 44

Editor responds: 1883 was a typo, it should have read 1838.
Toronto's Trinity, York Mills, is located near a busy intersection. One result of this is the frequent, often unusual visitors who drop in during the week for myriad of reasons. What just might be the most unusual, to date, occurred late one morning, in early August.
There were two women, both somewhere between their late 30's or early 40's. One spoke no English and was visiting Canada. The other was an immigrant who spoke English fairly well. Both were Iraqi Muslims. The one with no English, using her friend as interpreter, said she wanted to make a donation to our church. When queried on her reasons, she said it was her belief that the God of the Christians is the same God as that of the Muslims. Also, she was heartsick over the animosities between the two religions, especially in her homeland. Something within her moved her spirit to tangibly acknowledge her belief — hence the donation.
Neither woman seemed especially wealthy. Neither wanted to say anything else about themselves, though there were probably volumes to be spoken, given their philosophy and the nature of things at home. Both appeared to value their anonymity and, having conferred mutual blessings on each other, they departed. The donation was $5, but the unknown avenues through which it came to Trinity must certainly make it equal to a King's ransom!
Perhaps, in these times of terror-stricken violence, with mutual fear and distrust between Christians, Muslims and Jews, we Presbyterians might consider taking a lesson from that anonymous visitor. Perhaps not to make donations but to find out more about Islam and Judaism.
Did not the Psalmist write, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem? "May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers." (Ps. 122: 6-7) As all three religions also place value on the city of Jerusalem, could it be that, if the attitude and belief that brought about this donation were allowed to spread, might it not become the King's ransom through which peace is created?