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.”

Luke 16:19-21

Think

What would you do in this situation?

We all like to think that we would share our feast. Of course we would! We readers of this passage have the luxury of time and context to reflect on our response so we know the right answer.

But let’s dig deeper.

Take a moment to reflect on the underlying values that drive you to want to help Lazarus. Can you make a list of two or three them? Maybe you value generosity; maybe it’s kindness; maybe it’s faithfulness.

Though the circumstances may not be as dramatic as the rich man and Lazarus, you can bet that almost every day you will have an opportunity to live out these values.

Set your intentions and values now, when you have time to reflect and practice, when you have time to decide who you want to be. That way, when you encounter an opportunity to respond, it will be from this deep sense of who you are called to be in faith.

Wendy Johnson

Pray

God, I want to be who I believe I am.

Help me to take the time to reflect on my values and to practice them every day.

Amen.

Go

Go and live fully and wholly in the places you are called this day.