Ordinary Time 
Pause
All of us live full lives. And yet in spite of all the things we have accomplished thus far or plan to accomplish in the future, there is nothing more valuable in life than the knowledge of God’s presence.
Knowing that God is with you and for you, feel free to let go of everything that is holding you down or holding you back. Settle into the silence of this moment and recognize what a gift it is. Because of God’s love, you are free.
So receive God with gladness, and open both your heart and mind, that God might move in you and through you, even now.
Listen
As he was teaching, he said, “Watch out for the legal experts. They like to walk around in long robes. They want to be greeted with honor in the markets. They long for places of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. They are the ones who cheat widows out of their homes, and to show off they say long prayers. They will be judged most harshly.”
Mark 12:38-40
Think
In Jesus’ day and time, religious scholars had celebrity status, meaning everywhere they went people were watching them and wanting to be like them. And apparently they liked all the attention, so much so, that they did everything they could to keep peoples’ eyes fixed on them.
Jesus, however, advises us to quit giving our attention and affection to people who are more interested in recognition than reconciliation. Matter of fact, we are to watch out for such people because they don’t know how to use their power and influence responsibly.
What’s scary is how easy it is for us to fall into the same trap. Pressured to appear as if we have it all together, too many of us choose to put others down in order to make ourselves look better. And too often, we choose to oppress (manipulate) other human beings rather than admit honestly and openly that we are no different than they are — broken, weak, and prone to fail.
Thirsty for attention and affection, perhaps people should watch out for us.
Chris Robertson
Pray
God, I confess that I want people to notice, appreciate, and love me, which is why I need constant reminders of the depth and breadth of your love. As I go into the world, help me to share that love with others, for the sake of your name, not mine. Amen.
Go
“The purpose of prayer and religious seeking is to see the truth about reality, is to see what is. And at the bottom of what is is always goodness. The foundation is always love.”
Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs, 2003
God renews our vision and invites us to look deeper — all the way to what is. God wants us to see the love and goodness of what is. Are you paying attention?
