One day, while talking to Keith, a kind, humble and homeless man who frequented the busy intersection near my work, a man pulled up in a luxury car and angrily shouted, “Don’t give him anything! He needs to get a job! Nobody gave me a handout!” When the light turned green, he stepped on the gas and sped away.
Keith clearly had his problems, some likely self-inflicted. But in that moment, I knew I would rather be him than the angry rich man. I knew why Jesus gave us “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” as the first of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3). For the danger of putting too much trust and belief in our own success and self-determination is forgetting that everything we have (or may earn) is a really a gift.
Pride & selfishness seem to haunt many people, including me. What we need & what we want are never the same thing. Poverty is not only being hungry, naked, & homeless. "The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, & uncared for is the greatest poverty." St. Teresa of Calcutta
Amen Irene ✝️
Amen!
"Lord Jesus, make me a channel of your grace and healing love that others may find life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the things of your heavenly kingdom. May I witness to others the joy of the Gospel both in word and deed." Amen
Miguel thank you for your comments this morning sounds like Saint Francis Living faith family last week a fellow parishioner gave me a card with a prayer. I will share . As a country we need to as for her help. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Patroness of the United States of America, please help our country. Help us to return to what is decent, right, and proper, Help us to return to respect for ourselves and others, to self-control and self-discipline, and, especially, to a deep love for your Son and his teachings. Protect us from those who would destroy us from within. Our Lady, we place ourselves and our country under your mantle. Pray for us and help us. Amen Please pray for the souls in purgatory and those souls who have no one to pray for them. Ken Ke
Amen. :)
And thus we are taught to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread “; only what we need, not riches or abundance.
Hey Steve, thank you for the reminder. The recovering judger needs to be kept in check.Susan continues to get better! They removed her feeding tube and today she was hungry…yeah!!! Thank you for all your continued prayers. Sending good thoughts to Emma who is doing her 3rd round of interviews for a job today. Amen.
Great to hear positive news about Susan, Jane. Hopefully, Juan is getting some much-needed rest not worrying as much for her.
Jane good news I will pray for Susan and Emma and you right now. Ken
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Amen.☮️
Amen.
The man in the luxury car was probably still mad at whosoever didn’t help him when he needed help :-( Harsh reality sometimes hardens a man’s heart! *** You see being full or in want both risk denying our Lord or profaning His Name in Proverb 30:9, “Lest, being full, I deny You, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the Name of my God!” *** Reminds me of the fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears :-) *** It is about being content with God’s provision (physical, mental and spiritual) as Paul said in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough!” ******* Because Paul was totally depending on God and was content whether he had or hadn’t in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength!” And I agree ✝️
Good thoughts Salina, something to think about in all aspects whether rich or poor. Sounds like our “rich man” needs our prayers too✝️
Thats why Jesus sent His disciples out without taking anything with them so they could experience His provision, presence and power in Luke 9:3, "He told them, “Don’t take anything for the journey. Do not take a walking stick or a bag. Do not take any bread, money or extra clothes!"
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AMEN!