Ordinary Time

Pause

Make room for the real important stuff.

Tigger (in Disney’s The Little Book of Pooh-isms)

Listen

“There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day. At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores.

“The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. He shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m suffering in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, whereas Lazarus received terrible things. Now Lazarus is being comforted and you are in great pain.’”

Luke 16:19-25

Think

In today’s passage, Jesus tells a detailed story about two very different people. The first is a wealthy man flaunting his money with fancy clothes and luxurious living. The second is a beggar who is sick and hungry. It’s interesting that Jesus shares the name of the poor man, but not the rich man. It reminds us that the poor who are often overlooked by the world are named and are important to God. It’s the poor man who is comforted and honored after his death.

It’s easy to get caught up in the world of name brands, flashy cars, and designer homes, making “stuff” the priority of our lives. Is our motivation for work to make money to add to what we have and make life easier? Or do we work to honor God and serve others? I am asking myself this question as I pose it to you.

Earlier Jesus says, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Serving God as we notice and care for others must be our priority if we truly want to please God.

Stella Perrin

Pray

God, help me to notice those I pass on my journey today. May I take time to learn their names and how I can be Christ’s presence to them. Help me to keep my eyes on you, not on the “stuff” of this world that will pass away. May I use what you give me to honor you. Amen.

Go

Today, make room for God to reveal God’s self to you through the people you encounter, the beauty of God’s creation, and the quiet whispers of God’s Spirit.

And as your soul is filled with the reality of God’s limitless love for you, may it crowd out all the unimportant stuff that weighs you down, freeing you to share that love with others.