Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm 23
Matthew 15:29-37
We have a shortage of generous people. We do not have a shortage of resources. Our world is suffering from artificial scarcity. People have made material things into their gods so much that they would rather hoard these things and let them go to waste instead of sharing them. We need to change and be vulnerable to the pains and plight of others just like Jesus. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way.” (Matthew 15:32).
For Jesus, solving the world's problems begins with responding to the immediate needs around
you. This involves:
Sensitivity to the needs around you.
Realising that you can do something about it.
Asking questions and seeking answers.
Opening your heart to share.
Providing for others from the little you have.
Sharing with others could be in one of four ways:
Material - meeting their bodily needs and providing for their care.
Spiritual - praying for others and enlightening them with the truths of Christianity by sharing useful resources and reflections.
Moral - encouraging others with soothing words and motivating them to rise from vice and destructive habits, and offering them your exemplary life.
Psychological - working with persons who may be challenged mentally, to adopt new means of problem-solving and reinforce their self-confidence and self-esteem.
No one is too poor to give and no one is too rich to receive. The reason some are hesitant to give is because others may be too full of pride to receive what they need. And the reason some are reluctant to receive is because some givers take advantage of the needy. If you are willing, God wants to use you to wipe the tears from people's faces. He wants to provide bread in the desert through your efforts: "On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all people, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death forever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so." (Isaiah 25:7,8).
Our world will be a better place to live in when we see that there is something that we can give
to make others comfortable, instead of waiting to receive.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Loving and ever provident Father, look upon us in the depths of our needs. Physically we are impoverished, spiritually we are dry, morally we are bankrupt and mentally we are defeated. Raise us up and fill us with the bread of Your grace. Through the merits of Your Son's death and resurrection, fill us with an abundance of Your blessings, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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