Ordinary Time

Pause

The world doesn’t need a miracle from above to end hate, oppression, injustice, and inequality. It doesn’t need an act of God to end the suffering we see happening.

The world needs us, followers of Jesus, to say “Enough already!” and to work together to be God’s hands and feet.

Listen

When he came, he announced the good news of peace to you who were far away from God and to those who were near. We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit. So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household.

Ephesians 2:17-19

Think

When you take a stand, haters and critics may get you down – but keep the faith! When you fight for justice and equality, you may get overwhelmed and want to give up – but keep the faith! Whatever you are going through, whatever struggles you have, keep the faith!

Keep the faith and do something about the pain you see in the world. Keep the faith and be involved with the political process and make change happen. Keep the faith and feed the hungry, help the poor, and liberate the oppressed. Keep the faith and believe that in the end love, grace, and justice will rise from the ashes of anger, despair, and suffering because they always do. Persist and keep the faith knowing that you are not alone. Keep the faith because you belong to God and there is nothing you cannot accomplish. Keep the faith and be the hands and feet of Christ.

Ed Stallworth

Pray

Lord, with so many things that can bring me down, lead me and inspire me to keep my faith in you. Amen.

Go

You are the answer to the prayers of the hungry, lonely, bullied, oppressed, and hurting.

What will you do today – not tomorrow or someday – to be the hands and feet of God in your world?