Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

Reaching Out

Ho! Everyone who thirsts come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk without money and with out price. Isaiah 55:1

Society places high importance on wealth and social status. For instance, we lend money to those who are our friends and we know they can pay us back. And there is an unwritten code that says that when we are in need, our friends will allow us to borrow money from them to return the favor. It's kind of an "I'll scratch your back and you'll scratch mine" system that has been established.

While it is convenient for us to continue this borrowing cycle, it shouldn't be this way. To change this cycle, we need to reach out to others who are outside the system. In doing so, we must also seek to really help others with no reward in return.

Lent is a time to give up something that hinders our relationship with God. God calls us to love him and to love our neighbors. Perhaps in our Lenten practices, we can practice loving our neighbor more intentionally.

One way to do this is to help those with no money. Are you willing to give to help those who hold up signs on the highway saying that they will work for food? How about the disheveled panhandler who's always asking for a handout, or the mentally challenged man who carries on a conversation with himself, or the lady pushing the grocery cart full of thrift store items? Are you willing to step outside of your social circle of friendsand really help others in need? Today, try helping the less fortunate.

Molly Korb

Prayer: God please help us to reach out to the less fortunate, even in times when we know there may not be a reward. Thank you for your blessings and give us strength to continue spreading your message of love. Amen.