Christian Reflection and Prayer

(In the wake of the budget "crises", I
sent this to my congressmen)

Scripture:

37 “Then the righteous will answer him,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you something
to drink? 38 When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing
clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we
see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Mathew 25; 37-40 (Today's New International Version)

 Quote:

"If this is gonna be a Christian nation that
doesn't help the poor, either we've got to
pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as
we are, or we've got to acknowledge that
he commanded us to love the poor and
serve the needy without condition! And
then admit, that we just don't wanna do
it."  (Stephen Colbert)

DO WE WANNA DO IT?

Scripture:

But Jesus said, "You feed them." "But we
have only five loaves of bread and two fish,
" they answered. "Or are you expecting us
to go and buy enough food for this whole
crowd?" For there were about 5,000 men
there.    Luke 9:13-14, NLT    


Reflection:

What I think is interesting about the feeding
of the 5,000, by Jesus, is not only the
miracle in itself, but the actions of the
disciples.
In the account the disciples become concerned
that there are so many hungry people and
how are the going to be fed.  It's not like they
had McDonald's across the street.  These
people needed to eat! 
So they go to Jesus and ask Him what can
be done.  And what is His response, He says,
"You feed them".  And the disciples response
is that of protest because they didn't have
enough food or money.  They didn't have the
resources.
There is a lesson for us here. 
Do you think that God would ask you to do
something, that together you and Him
couldn't handle.  I don't think so.
GOD IS TELLING YOU DON'T LET YOUR
LACK OF RESOURCES BLIND YOU TO
SEEING GOD'S POWER.  HE IS THE
ONLY RESOURCE YOU NEED!!!!!

YOU FEED THEM

Scripture:

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure
hidden in a field" (Matthew 13:44)

In a "Peanuts" comic strip, Lucy and Charlie
Brown are engaged in earnest conversation
about the meaning of life. Lucy feels that it's
a matter of one's perspective. She says,
"Life is like a deck chair. Some people place
it so they can see where they are going.
Some people place it so they can see where
they have been. And some people place it
so they can see where they are now.
" Charlie ponders Lucy's little discourse,
then replies, "I can't even get mine unfolded."
"
Reflection:

I remember as a young boy one of my
favorite games to play was "Pirate", and
I was always looking for the hidden
treasure.
I have found that hidden treasure, that
treasure is the meaning of my life through
God.  To share in the life of God, to be in
intimate union with God is my life's greatest
treasure, now and for all eternity.
THE MOMENT IS NOW!
Jesus says you can "be glad and rejoice"
now and have your "reward in heaven," both!
Jesus' words echo those of the Old Testament
Psalmist who wrote, "This is the day the Lord
has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it"
 (Ps. 118:24).
NOT YESTERDAY, NOT TOMORROW, BUT
NOW TODAY, THIS DAY LIVE YOUR
GREATEST TREASURE BE IN UNION WITH
GOD!!!!!!!