Words of Jesus on love/compassion:
Most of us have heard this many times, but this message is still fresh, still needed, in our world today.
It’s worth going back and reading again–and creating your own prayer about what Jesus says–right now….
Until next time, Amen!
Today’s quote about almsgiving and sharing is from John Calvin, key figure and theologian during the Protestant Reformation days. This quote caught my eye because of today’s political/religious climate.
“Love one another” means being willing to share with others. The Christian way is a spiritual path that seeks to give to others more than to receive from them. It can be difficult to remember this in the midst of media bombardment about the latest recipes for good looks, wealth, and material things.
Will you pray with me?
Come, Holy Spirit,
remind us often
that everything we own–
belongings, money, time, talents–
comes from Creator God…
Inspire us often to share with others,
and give us the courage to let go
of all that we ought to share with others.
Until next time, Amen!
There are many ways to “give alms”… I think the main point is to think of the needs of others and to share the gifts you have with them. Some gifts are monetary or physical possessions, like clothes and dishes. Others are the talents we have been given by God to use for the good of ourselves and others.
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Until next time, Amen!
Words from Jesus about almsgiving:
Jesus must have known people who were giving as a way of showing off to others. They gave to those in need (charities) as a way to prove to others they were holy, and even “holier” than those around them. As a result, they received a good deal of praise for their actions.
It’s something to think about . . . Do we give to others because we care, or do we give to see our name emblazoned in stone for others to admire? You can read more of what Jesus said in chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel. (If you don’t have a bible, just google “Matthew 6 3 ” or “Matthew 6”.)
Until next time, Amen!
Week 3 — Almsgiving…Thought for the day:
Until next time, Amen!
Today’s quote makes me think of Matthew 25… when Jesus talks about when we care lovingly for others, especially those in need, we are also caring for Christ. When we cruelly ignore the needs of others, we are also being cruel to Christ.
This is a great challenge… and a life-long kind of pursuit . . .
Until next time, Amen!
Sometimes we can fall into doing spiritual practices as a way of showing off or competing with others. I’m thinking that when Isaiah wrote this passage below, spiritual pride must have been running rampant:
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This bible passage says it all. What good is eating less if you withhold food from the hungry? What good is being slender and good-looking if you treat others with disdain? What good is fasting if you quarrel and fight and “strike with a wicked fist”?
I suggest you reread what Isaiah has to say, slowly. Write it in a journal, or write it “in your heart.” Consider how to put it into practice in your life. . . at least in one little action each day or each week.
Until next time, Amen!
P.S. Coming up next week: Lenten practice of almsgiving
Continuing our week about fasting:
Guilty.
Need I say more?
On second thought, this also makes me think of how the hungry in the world might feel about academic talk of the value of fasting… ? Hmmmm…
Something to think about . . .
Until next time, Amen!
Today’s quote about fasting:
There are several good reasons why Christians might fast or practice some form of self-denial. One reason is found in these words from Richard Foster, reminding us that when we fast, we are to replace the time and energy we spend on one thing (i.e., preparing and eating food) with something of even greater value.
This makes me think of Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. During his desert time, Jesus wasn’t doing active ministry or working in the carpenter shop or even visiting family. Jesus was practicing a kind of self-denial in order to have some time alone for prayer. It’s not that ministry, work, family togetherness are bad–they are good things. However, Jesus knew he needed some time to deepen his relationship with God in prayer.
So, when we fast or “give up” something for Lent, it is good to replace it with something even better. If we give up chocolate, we can replace it with fruit or vegetables. If we give up social media, we replace it with prayer or acts of kindness. If we give up a meal, we give the money we would have spent on the food to agencies who feed the hungry.
Until next time, Amen!
[P.S. FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m eating a chocolate donut while writing about fasting!]
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I am not very good at fasting–so sometimes I think about other ways to “give up” something in order to have time for the really important things in life. For example, there is nothing wrong with relaxing with a little “screen time” (TV, social media, YouTube, etc.), but most of us would agree, it’s easy to get roped into spending an hour or two with our “screens” than what we originally intended. So sometimes I have given up some television time during Lent–and I find I suddenly have more time on my hands.
It’s not that what we are viewing is wrong (hopefully not), but rather that some of us (myself included) slip into habits involving increasing screen time–and without realizing it, we are saying things like:
We live in a time when people are working very hard to make ends meet–I’m not saying it’s easy to find time. Neither am I saying that anyone should feel they have to “earn” God’s love or feel guilty about things (such as TV) that are basically a part of life in our times.
However, it is good during Lent to ponder how we use our time. We humans are limited creatures–we have a limited number of hours in the day, and a limited number of years in our lives. Lent is a good time for us to examine:
Lent is a good time for experimenting with this sort of thing. It gives us a time frame in which to try out something new and see how it works. Some of my past Lenten experiments were of great help to me–and others didn’t work out so well. However, even the ones that “failed” were good learning experiences for me.
God be with you in your Lenten journey.
Until next time, Amen!
Spiritual Drawing Board 