Learn the Truth

SCRIPTURE
- Proverbs 24:32

"And as I gazed upon it, I reflected, and I saw and learned the truth."

REFLECTION
- Fr. Ron

MUSIC
- "He Leadeth Me" Instrumental

- "Whatsoever You Do" by Robert Kochis

NOTES
- Blog: What Does the Bible Say About Serving the Poor?

PRAYER OF LETTING GO
To You do I belong, O God,
 into Your hands I surrender my life.
 Pour out Your Spirit upon me
 that I may love You perfectly,
 and serve You faithfully
 until my soul rests in You.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:29

Hello and welcome to the God Minute. This is Sarah here to lead us in prayer. Sometimes, prayer changes what we see. Not because anything around us is suddenly different, but because God gives us a little more light to see what we might have missed. So wherever you are right now, bring your whole self into this moment. Let's spend these next few minutes with the Lord and allow his word to meet us right where we are. Let us pray. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_00 1:14

Amen.

SPEAKER_01 1:15

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

SPEAKER_04 1:24

Psalm 34. God's goodness. Lord, I'm bursting with joy over what you've done for me. My lips are full of praise. I'm boasting of you and all your works. So let all who are discouraged take heart.

SPEAKER_00 1:46

Join me, everyone. Let's praise the Lord together. I cried to God in my distress, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

SPEAKER_04 2:05

Join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory.

SPEAKER_00 2:14

When I had nothing, desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me. The angels stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me the way.

SPEAKER_04 2:45

Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_04 2:59

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

SPEAKER_05 3:42

The word of the Lord. The other day, driving home, I was at an intersection where a really badly dressed, half-emaciated guy had a sign asking for money for food. But he also had a half-lit cigarette dangling in his mouth, and at his feet were a couple of empty bottles of gin. And I thought instead of money, I should give him some advice that if you want people to give money, don't be smoking a cigarette at twelve dollars a pack, or have booze bottles laying around you. And I realized, driving off, that I judged him. My prejudice clouded my vision, and I made assumptions that may or may not be true, but in the end gave me the permission to keep my window rolled up. What I didn't do is what our scripture today in Proverbs tells us of any wise man. As I gazed upon it, I reflected, and then I saw and learned the truth. Did not do that. Instead, I made a rash judgment and seemed to overlook the truth that he is a child of God. I mean, take the incidentals away, and he and I are the same brothers of the same parent. I just happen to be blessed with a much different direction in life. Thanks be to God. But friends, can any of us honestly say that prejudice in one form or another has never clouded our own ability to really see someone who appears to be different in some way? Maybe today let us ask God to take away this clouded vision and do more of what Proverbs asks. To pause and to reflect upon a truth that is hidden underneath the dangling cigarettes and empty bottles.

SPEAKER_02 6:25

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me. When I was hungry you gave me to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink. Now enter into the home of my father.

SPEAKER_01 7:00

Take a moment now to place your own needs before God today. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we pray. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Let us pray. Lord, give us eyes that linger long enough to truly see. When judgment comes too quickly, soften our hearts. Help us to remember that every person we encounter carries a story that we do not fully know and a dignity that comes from you. May your love shape the way we look at one another so that when someone is in need, we recognize not a stranger, but a brother or sister. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. To you do I belong, O God, into your hands I surrender my life. Pour out your Spirit upon me that I may love you perfectly and serve you faithfully until my soul rests in you. Father Ron's reflection fits beautifully with something I've been thinking about as I prepare for the fall semester at school. And that is what Scripture actually asks of us as we encounter people who are poor or in need. So I wrote a blog post reflecting on that thought. You can find the article at thegodminute.org through the link in today's show notes or on the Discover page of the app. Thanks for praying with us today, and may God bless us in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Look for Christ in the small things until we pray again tomorrow.

SPEAKER_02 9:34

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me. When I was homeless you opened your door. When I was naked you gave me your coat. Now enter into the home of my father. Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me.

SPEAKER_03 10:22

When I was weary you helped me find rest when I was anxious you calmed on my feet. I went to the home of my father.

SPEAKER_02 10:43

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you truly When I was laughed at you stood by my side. When I was happy you shared in my joy now enter into the home of my father. Whatsoever you do to the least of my people that you do unto me.