Ordinary Time

Pause

We scramble through many of our days, hopeful that things will turn out well, and sometimes fearful that we may come up short. Will our resources be equal to each day’s demands?

As followers of Christ, we want to be faithful—and capable—in the face of life’s challenges.

We should know that there is enough grace, enough mercy, enough love—and enough time, just now—to meet the day.

Listen

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Isaiah 55:1-5

Think

There’s a very persistent rumor going around. It’s been spreading for many years and there seems to be no end to it. Like most rumors, it’s largely unfounded and, in fact, may be intended to cause discontent and even violent unrest.

Here it is: “There is not enough.”

If you like, place a blank at the end of that sentence and fill it in with what you have heard—or what you fear, like, there’s not enough room, or money, or safety.

In some places, there is reason to be concerned about food or water or the preservation of life itself. But that’s not because there isn’t enough of those things. It’s because some among us choose to hoard the one thing that will refute the rumor—love.

God has infused all creation with love. When we abandon ourselves to love’s power, we will see, finally, an end to the rumor.

Nick Foster

Pray

God, help me today to see the abundance of life and love that is all around me. Show me how to experience your love by sharing it with others. Amen.

Go

There is plenty. You need only take a little time to wait on God; then you will be prepared for the work God has for you.

So do not be discouraged; you can make a difference. The result may be greater than you can imagine.

There is enough and more than enough mercy, grace, and love to carry you. To carry us all.