Wednesday, February 10, 2016
February 10, 2016 Ash Wednesday- 2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10
Today the 40 day (excluding Sundays) journey to the cross and resurrection begins. We call it the season of Lent. Thank you for reading and joining the walk to the cross with other believers near and far. This year's devotional reflections will focus on issues of hunger in the world, based on devotions provided by the ELCA's World Hunger Program.
Hunger and poverty have been with us for a very long time. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians refers to the trials he has suffered and includes hunger (2 Corith. 6:5) and poverty (vs. 10) as hardships he has suffered. Because something has been with us a very long time, does that mean it has to continue to be that way? That is the question Mikka McCracken raises in today's devotion. She reminds us that although the challenge is great, we walk by faith in Jesus Christ- God made flesh- who died and then rose again for the sake of the world. If we believe in such an amazing, powerful, and loving God, then all things become possible, even eliminating the seemingly impossible problem of hunger in the world. So we begin this journey with words of hope, not despair. As Paul urged the Corinthians to action, so also the Spirit urges us to embrace the belief that it is possible to end poverty and hunger and take action towards that end.
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Perhaps a Lenten sacrifice of daily putting aside an amount of money to be given to ELCA World Hunger in a check on Easter Sunday.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Rich. Thanks so much!
DeleteJesus did say "The poor you will always have with you..." Matt 26:11. That does not and should not keep us from providing as we are able. What I do may not seem to matter in the big scheme of things, but it matters to the one (s) I can help.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon. Very true. I struggle with that saying of Jesus to his disciples, as a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. In that moment and in that time, the poor would always be with the disciples. But I like to think,hope, and pray that it doesn't have to be that way for all time.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing from different authors! Mikka McCracken's faith that it is possible to end hunger and that WE are created for that task is inspiring! We can each do our best to set things right, no matter what.
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