In his first century world in which the poor were being squeezed by the combination of tithes to support the Temple and taxes to support the purposes and lifestyle of the rich and powerful of the Roman Empire, Jesus taught his disciples to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread." Our privileged twenty-first century comforts make it hard for us to imagine an existence where being hired today meant food for tomorrow, but that is what Jesus meant: Pray to be chosen as a day laborer today so the family can be fed for another day.

That's pretty basic: food for one more day. That is why when Simon Peter said he loved Jesus, he was told to "Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17.) Talking about God's kingdom on earth, Jesus told his followers that when the Son of Man (or child of Adam, the earthling) comes, the king will say: "Truly I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. " (Matthew 25:31, 40.)
We who have enough food for today are told to provide for "the least" of our family. Who are members of our family is a thought for another day.

Thoughts from Lyn Pickhover

Lenten Devotions
March 2, 2021