Ordinary Time

Pause

I close my eyes from the hurt.

I turn away from the bad.

I ignore the pleas for help.

But it remains.

How can I see the Good that comes from God, grows in God, belongs to God?

Listen

You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.

Psalm 23:5-6

Think

How will I choose how to live this life? What will I choose to do with it? Much of what I choose to do comes down to the perceived choices that I have.

This Psalm paints a beautiful picture of abundance, a view of a universe where there is plenty, in which we are cared for by one who can make a difference. I love that a shepherd, King David, is said to have written this. He knew what it took for a shepherd to care for their flock.

We are protected (a table set in view of our enemies), anointed with oil (chosen for God’s own), provided for abundantly (cup overflowing). The successful Shepherd has award-winning sheep. Each of us in God’s flock is a blue-ribbon winner, competing only with ourselves to be the best we can be. If we have it so good, how could we not choose to “live in the Lord’s house as long as [we] live”?

Rock Higgins

Pray

Lord, when I look at the world, may I do so with your eyes. May I see the good, the beautiful, and the best in all situations. May each face be your beloved Child. And in the hard times, let me see where you are already at work and show me where to join in. Amen.

Go

What we see is a choice.

How we see is a choice.

Today I can choose to commit to see the good in God’s world and to work to make the bad better.