March 11. 2014

Galatians 2:  ¹⁰ All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul is telling about his mission to the Gentiles.  He says Peter was called to the circumcised, and he was called to the Gentiles.  He is worked up about those who are trying to make the Gentiles follow the old Mosaic Law.  He says they are confusing works with faith.  Those in the new Christian faith need not follow the old Mosaic Law, although he gives the Law credit for bringing them to the point where Christ came into the world.  And then he finishes with these words, summing up his mission to the poor.

I love these words of Paul.  I can relate to being eager to help the poor.  And I don't mean just those without money either.  I have always--well, almost always anyway--been drawn to the downtrodden, to those whom others judge as below themselves.  It doesn't matter why they are considered low; I like to interact in a positive way with those whom others would ignore.  This is not a trial to me; it is a joy that my faith reinforces my natural inclination to remember those whom others would rather forget.

Prayer:  Lord, I pray for the poor.  That means those without material goods, those who suffer from bad health, those who are rejected by so many b/c of any reason.  I pray that these people who need love and help find what they need.  Please guide my words and actions to lift up Your people whom others have put down.  Help me to soothe their hurt feelings.
Amen