Presence

Lord, thank you for being my companion on life’s journey, each day, and in each moment, including this one. Help me to tune in to your presence now…

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 2:18-21

¹⁸ I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to my successor, ¹⁹ and who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. ²⁰ So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, ²¹ because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Reflection

Who among us hasn’t at one stage or another stopped and wondered why? Why are we working so hard to make money and do well so that we will have something to leave to those we leave behind? We want their world to be better than ours. We want them to have a better life. But what if they don’t value it? What if they squander it? What if we really don’t believe they will do right by our memory after we’ve gone? Gone. Gone is the operative word. We’ll be gone. In the same way, how often do we not give to someone begging on the street because we think they’ll spend the money on drugs or alcohol, or perhaps they’re only pretending to be homeless? So what? The Christian act is in giving, not in determining what others do with what we give.  

Closing prayer

Dear God, if I am quick to judge, slow me down. If I place conditions on my giving, give me the grace to give more freely.. Help me live my faith.  Amen.