A prayer and reading on solidarity
THURSDAY
Today, we will start with a prayer and turn our focus toward scriptures that speak to us about solidarity. Solidarity is basically unity in action. So, as we pray and read, let us reflect on how God wants us to act out our unity with others.
Prayer - God, open my heart to you. I invite you in. Silence my petitions and resistance to your will for my life. I trust that you are speaking, so allow me to hear you.
Readings:
Romans 12:9-21
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man appears in his majestic glory, with all his angels by his side, he will take his seat on his throne of splendor, 32 and all the nations will be gathered together before him.[j] And like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats, he will separate all the people. 33 The ‘sheep’ he will put on his right side and the ‘goats’ on his left. 34 Then the King will turn to those on his right and say, ‘You have a special place in my Father’s heart. Come and experience the full inheritance of the kingdom realm that has been destined for you from before the foundation[k] of the world! 35 For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in, 36 and when I was poorly clothed, you covered me. When I was sick, you tenderly cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me.’
37 “Then the godly will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and give you food and something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and invite you in? When did we see you poorly clothed and cover you? 39 When did we see you sick and tenderly care for you, or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’
41 “Then to those on his left the King will say, ‘Leave me! For you are under the curse of eternal fire that has been destined for the devil and all his demons. 42 For when you saw me hungry, you refused to give me food, and when you saw me thirsty, you refused to give me something to drink. 43 I had no place to stay, and you refused to take me in as your guest. When you saw me poorly clothed, you closed your hearts and would not cover me. When you saw that I was sick, you didn’t lift a finger to help me, and when I was imprisoned, you never came to visit me.’
44 “And then those on his left will say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not give you food and something to drink? When did we see you homeless, or poorly clothed? When did we see you sick and not help you, or in prison and not visit you?’
45 “Then he will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you refused to help one of the least important among these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you refused to help and honor me.’ 46 And they will depart from his presence and go into eternal punishment. But the godly and beloved ‘sheep’ will enter into eternal bliss.”
En Español
JUEVES
Hoy, comenzaremos con una oración y nos enfocaremos en las Escrituras que nos hablan de solidaridad. La solidaridad es básicamente la unidad en acción. Entonces, mientras oramos y leemos, reflexionemos sobre cómo Dios quiere que actuemos nuestra unidad con los demás.
Oración - Dios, abre mi corazón a ti. Te invito a entrar. Silencio mis peticiones y resistencia a tu voluntad para mi vida. Confío en que estás hablando, así que déjame escucharte.
Lecturas:
Romanos 12: 9-21
Mateo 25: 31-46