Ordinary Time 
Pause
To be human is an incredible gift. At times we feel like we are on top of the world ready to conquer anything. Other times we feel so worn down and tired that we cannot take another step.
Remember that no matter what, we are God’s creation. God created us strong, capable, full of love, and easy to hurt.
So pause for a moment today and think about how to care for yourself and the lives around you with faithful love, grace, and understanding.
Listen
Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found.
So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being.
Genesis 2:18-22
Think
This passage captures one of God’s greatest gifts to us: community. As God stirred the great pot of creation, it became clear that humans need companionship. I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure where I would be without my family and friends. We need each other. God knew this, God knows this, and God continues to bless us with human companionship.
It doesn’t matter if your family is big or you’re an only child, if you have a few close friends or tons of friends; each relationship we have is sacred and holy. We must nurture these bonds and treat them with patience, love, honesty, and kindness. Sometimes we get frustrated, our feelings get hurt, and it feels hard to stay close to people, but those are the times when we can call upon God for strength, wisdom, and patience.
Our community is the net upon which we fall when we hurt, the cheering section for our greatest accomplishments, and the constant presence when things are just plain boring. Community is worth our care and love.
Ashley Lytle
Pray
Lord God, magnificent Creator of all life, you have given us the gift of companionship. Bless me with love, patience, and understanding as I seek to love others as Christ has loved me. This I ask in your holy name, amen.
Go
Go and bask in God’s creation;
Go and open your eyes to see what lives, breathes, swirls, and twirls around you;
Go and care for the people you love and for those you do not yet love;
Go and ask for help;
Go and show God’s glory through your incredible humanity!
