Just Ask March 9

Piety

Jesus, we are lucky to live in such a wealthy nation. We don’t have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We don’t have to hunt for it except in the aisles of Giant, Safeway or Shoppers Food Warehouse. We don’t have to grow it unless we choose to have a small personal garden to cultivate. We don’t have to weave our own clothes except to weave through the crowds at Tysons Corner in order to buy what we want.

Despite our affluence, today we have so many other needs. Because we have to be so productive and efficient at work, we forget to make time for You and for those who are close to us. We forget about those who don’t have as much. We forget about those we can not see but have needs. Plus, we have so many seductive distractions. Media. Advertising. Music. Television. Hollywood. Politics. Food. Alcohol. Drugs.

Please give to us just those things that we need.
Give to us eyes that are open to see and meet the needs of everyone.
Give to us ears to hear Your Word.
Give to us mouths to spread the Good News.
Give to us hands to do Your work on earth.
Give to us feet to bring Your word and works to those in need.
Give us hearts to accept Your love and pass it on to others.
Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/030906.shtml

Pitch and spin are a big part of life. We are always trying to "make the case" for people to take an action favorable to us or to our cause. We are always appealing to people with power and influence to help us get what we want. Those who want us to do something voluntarily make the case seductive and appealing in order to separate us from our hard earned wages. They use celebrities, rebates, incentives, coupons, and more. Sometimes they even use illegal or unethical means to get us to act one way.

Isn’t God wonderful?! Despite God’s power and influence, we don’t need to come up with a grant proposal for what we ask of him. Scripture today tells us that all we need to do is, "Ask." And if we are afraid to ask God directly, then we have Mary, Jesus and the saints to intervene on our behalf. Just think of that. The communion of saints make up your corps of lobbyists and agents working for your everyday in heaven! But today’s scripture says that we don’t even really need them. We have a direct hotline to the Eternal CEO’s office in our own hearts, hands and head.
Think of the greatest things you have done today…and then multiply that beyond comprehension. That’s what God will do for us. God only asks one thing. Turn to God and ask…because God will answer.

Keep praying for our weekend so that we can obtain what we need…a place to make new friends, the commitment to be friends and the courage to bring those friends to Christ. Because on the day we call for help, the Lord will answer us.

Jesus, we are lucky to live in such a wealthy nation. We don’t have to worry about where our next meal will come from. We don’t have to hunt for it except in the aisles of Giant, Safeway or Shoppers Food Warehouse. We don’t have to grow it unless we choose to have a small personal garden to cultivate. We don’t have to weave our own clothes except to weave through the crowds at Tysons Corner in order to buy what we want.

Despite our affluence, today we have so many other needs. Because we have to be so productive and efficient at work, we forget to make time for You and for those who are close to us. We forget about those who don’t have as much. We forget about those we can not see but have needs. Plus, we have so many seductive distractions. Media. Advertising. Music. Television. Hollywood. Politics. Food. Alcohol. Drugs.

Please give to us just those things that we need.
Give to us eyes that are open to see and meet the needs of everyone.
Give to us ears to hear Your Word.
Give to us mouths to spread the Good News.
Give to us hands to do Your work on earth.
Give to us feet to bring Your word and works to those in need.
Give us hearts to accept Your love and pass it on to others.


Action:
Consider what you truly need this Lenten season. Before you buy anything this season, ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" If your answer is yes, then consider giving something else away to charity, to a thrift shop or to a shelter. This way our "things" and "Stuff" won’t further crowd out our time and talent from doing what you require of us.

NOTE: These reflections are offered for the Men's 113th Team and supporters. The Team remains in hiatus while the Arlington Cursillo searches for a new "home" where we will offer the weekend experience to new friends. You don't have to forward these to anyone in order to get God's grace. If you would like to opt out of getting these, ask and your wish will be granted.