Reflect
It’s easy to get caught up with the daily grind and lose perspective on the suffering around us. When you think of the poor, is it someone unknown to you in a faraway land? That may be true, but that kind of thinking also puts a buffer between ourselves and those in need. The poor—both materially and spiritually—are right around the corner, next door, and maybe right next to you. Let’s pray for them.
Pray
Dear Lord,
I know there is
profound poverty
in our world
but sometimes I don’t see it—
or worse,
I don’t want to see it.
I beg your forgiveness
for my apathy,
for I truly do love others
and care for their well-being.
Help me to get out
of my own rigid routine
and not only see,
but soothe
the sting of poverty
in my family,
my neighbors,
and strangers alike.
Amen.
Act
Do you have a snack that you usually take with you to work or school? Be spontaneous and give it to a homeless person who you see on your daily commute. Is there a friend, coworker, or family member who is experiencing spiritual poverty? Let that person know why they matter to you and ask if there’s anything you can do to help. Sometimes even a quick chat helps.