Devotion
We are Called to the Lost
Chipo Biti
Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector. Tax collectors in the times of Jesus were not popular people. I'm pretty sure tax collectors of the present day we live in are also held in a high regard. Zacchaeus probably held high societal status as a result of his wealth. But none of that meant a thing to him when he wanted to meet Jesus. He wasn't a very tall man but He did not allow his to stop him. He put his dignity aside, ran ahead and climbed a tree in order to see Jesus. It was very clear that Zacchaeus was determined to meet Jesus and possibly converse with Him.
Jesus took it several steps further and informed Zacchaeus that he was going to stay with him. This was a shock to everyone around Jesus - and probably to Zacchaeus too. Tax collectors were known for using sneaky, underhanded means to retrieve their money from other people. When people heard that Jesus was going to stay with Zacchaeus they started to grumble, accusing Jesus of associating with sinners.
What a funny thing for them to say, considering the fact that they were sinners too. They probably didn't see it that way because they felt that they weren't as bad as Zacchaeus. Self-righteousness can blind you of your own flaws while you amplify the flaws of other people. Jesus wasn't moved. He wasn't there to follow the status quo. He was there to reach out to people from different walks of life.
Look at the transformation that occurred within Zacchaeus. He was determined to give away half of his possessions to the poor and he was willing to pay back four times the amount to anyone he had cheated. A repentant heart! What a sight! All of this was triggered by the loving gesture Jesus made, by reaching out to Zacchaeus.
Jesus ended it off with the perfect statement, putting all grumblers to silences, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Prayer
We should never get to a point of thinking that we are better than the lost. Remember that there was a time where you were lost and you responded to the love that God was stretching out in your direction.
As Christians, we are called to reach out to the lost - no matter how crazy or "sinful" they may appear to be. When we allow the love of God to work through us, miracles will happen. The same way they happened when Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus - a man most people had written off of a sinner who could never be saved.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
Morning Prayer
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Inspiration
Love one another; it is as simple as that. For if God demands you to honor his creation, this also includes his people. Love is not a science, it is an art that takes constant negotiation, communication, and consideration. But should we become better in this, all the better not only for this world, but also in preparing us for the next -wherein everything resides within the arms of our everlasting and loving Father.
Prayer
Lord, give us your guidance. Through Jesus' actions show us how to commit to your brotherly love and understanding, honoring one another as we break bread upon your holy sacrament and salvation. Help us treat one another as we would like to be treated ourselves, and thereafter, find lasting peace and love in giving thanks to your holy name, O Lord most high, Amen.
Devotion
Pray for Leaders
Frances Taylor
How often do you or I pray for government leaders? Paul doesn't say to pray just for the leaders we like, either. If we do want a tranquil and quiet life, we need all leaders to turn to God and work for justice for all their citizens. It's probably even more important to pray and intercede for those leaders who work against justice, than for those who are already doing the right thing. For those who are already on God's side, we should give thanks to God that they stay in leadership and continue to do God's will. The same goes for city, state, and even church leaders as well as our national and international leaders. Good leaders should be supported and others need to be held to account for their behavior. Obviously different countries have different forms of leadership, but that shouldn't stop us from praying for them. God does listen even if the answer doesn't come as quickly as we might like. In the case of democracies, we sometimes need a bad ...
