First week of Lent, Thursday
Reading: Matthew 7:7-12 ‘Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, now much more will your father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! In everything do to others as you would have them do for you; for this is the law and the prophets’
Reflection In this passage of scripture, Jesus invites us to reflect on the benevolence of God and to live good and holy lives in response to his great love. He reminds us that our heavenly father is aware of our everyday concerns and wishes to respond to them in love. Today, your partner is self-employed and lying very ill in hospital. You fear the outcome of his investigations and are worried about how you will ask your landlord for a reduction in the rent because now your financial circumstances have changed. Will he ask you and your children to leave and if he does, where will you live. You are worried sick for yourself and for your children, how will you manage if your partner does not recover and be able to return home and resume his job. This worry is also of great concern to God whose compassion is boundless for all his children. He asks you and your children to pray with hearts full of faith, trust and confidence knowing that He will answer your knock on the door of his heart and respond in love to you all. He will fill you with courage as you explain your circumstances to the landlord and may infuse him with compassion to respond to your request ‘for more time to pay your debt.’ (Matthew 18:27) He will guide all caring for your partner and encourage you to seek out the hospital chaplain who will pray with your partner so that he may be restored to good health. (James 5:13-15) He will remind you of the words of St. Paul when he writes, ‘And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:19) You may take comfort in these promises but you are called to extend the same generosity and kindness to the people who share our lives each day; failure to do so breaks the heart of God when he asks us to, ‘love one another, just as I have loved you.’ (John 13:34)
When you partner is restored to health you may wish to approach your local M.P and discuss with him how the needs of people in poor housing in your area can be addressed. Poor quality housing negatively impacts on the health and well-being of all and its resolution is an issue of justice.
Prayer I thank you for your extraordinary love of all people.
Nothing can compare to this great love.
Open my heart to receive this love in the core of my being.
May my life be transformed by your holy spirit so that I
may live according to your law of love and serve others with generosity each day.
Deepen my trust so that I may walk every more closely to you,
O generous, loving and benevolent God, Amen.
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