December 5, 2024

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!

Sirach 7:32-36

Stretch forth your hand to the poor,
That your blessing may be complete.
Let the kindness of giving be shown
In the presence of all the living,
And do not withhold kindness from the dead.
Do not withdraw yourself from those who weep,
And mourn with those who mourn.
Do not hesitate to visit a sick man,
For by such visits you will be loved.
With all your words, remember the time you will die,
And you will never sin.

Personal Challenge

At the very beginning of Christianity, those who had been longing for their Messiah, did not recognize Him when He arrived. To use a modern term, He was too "woke" for what they were looking for. I often wonder that if Jesus were to show up today and do what He did 2,000 years ago, how many professing Christians would join the religious leaders yelling, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Jesus would have been fully aware of this book of Sirach. His sermon on the mount and other teachings proclaims these truths in Sirach. Stretch forth your hand to the poor, which includes the widow, the orphan and the alien (migrant) amongst us. Live showing the kindness of giving, not taking and hoarding like so many wealthy, including many megachurch leaders of today. Do not withhold kindness, do not withdraw from those who weep, mourn with those who mourn, visit the sick person without hesitation, speak carefully. These are things that followers of Christ strive to do with their lives. These are the "Christians" that make up the true body of Christ. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!