Ordinary Time 
Pause
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Listen
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too. Because God is the one who established it on the seas; God set it firmly on the waters.
Who can ascend the Lord’s mountain? Who can stand in his holy sanctuary? Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart; the one who hasn’t made false promises, the one who hasn’t sworn dishonestly. That kind of person receives blessings from the Lord and righteousness from the God who saves.
Psalm 24:1-5
Think
In Psalm 24, we are provided with the imagery of God as creator of our world and ourselves. However, God didn’t leave after the work of creation was finished. God has always remained a constant, inclusive presence.
We understand that God’s presence isn’t focused on a select few; it embraces all with open arms. Just as the psalmist asks, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?” (Psalm 24:3), we recognize that the answer is anyone who seeks God with sincerity and humility.
Our faith journey is not about exclusion, but rather inclusion. It’s about dismantling barriers and welcoming everyone into the presence of God’s love. It’s about lifting up the marginalized and embracing diversity as a reflection of God’s own image. Let us, then, approach God’s presence with an open heart and mind, ready to be transformed and to create a world where all are welcomed as equals in the eyes of our loving creator.
Amaia Zugazaga
Question to Ponder:
How can I include others and extend God’s love to those around me?
Pray
God,
Help me to see beyond the surface, to notice and care for those often overlooked and forgotten. Empower me to extend your love and inclusion to all. Grant those around me a profound sense of belonging, knowing they are cherished and valued in your eyes.
Amen.
Go
Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
