Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, March 4, 2021
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I saw the following meme on Facebook this morning:
“It’s so weird being raised by Christians and spending your entire childhood being told to care about others, and then one day they’re just like, ‘You’re not actually supposed to care about others, you stupid socialist.’”
It cut me to the core, to know how far so many of us have strayed from this parable of Jesus. I live in a “what’s in it for me?” culture, where few people want to sacrifice their own comfort in order to uplift others. I am so steeped in my privilege that I don’t even see where my own actions stray into this “what’s in it for me?” territory.
Jesus reminds us in clear terms to practice humility and selfless service. Key word: practice. It’s not my norm. I always need to check my motives, push myself to see beyond my own interests to the greater good, and ask God for help doing so.
All-embracing God, remind me every minute of every day that you call me to put the interests of all your beloved creation above my own self-interest. Amen.
