Thoughts for the Day

If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually....
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

During the last year food banks have needed more help than ever before. Throughout our world men and women have lost their jobs and their business during the pandemic. Families have struggled to find enough money to keep warm and be fed. Recently, hearing that those on benefits in the UK were liable to lose the extra £20 they had been given shook most of us. Families spoke of the £20 allowing them to buy a little fruit or vegetables, which they couldn't do without it. If you have been helping food banks, thank you! If not, this Lent, can you afford to buy a few extra tins or packets of food to help those less fortunate than yourself?

God calls us to look at ourselves and our relationship with Him during Lent. He also calls us to look at our behaviour (eg no 'pointing fingers'!) as well as the way we relate to others and care for those who are struggling. The writer of Isaiah says when we do this our 'light shall rise in the darkness and.... (our) gloom be like the noonday' Perhaps our own spirits will be lifted in doing such good work?

Lord God,
You call us to look after others
and care for those in need.
Help us to not forget those
less fortunate than ourselves,
and do what we can to make a difference
in whatever way we can.
Amen.