28 Feb Poverty of Spirit (Mk 9:37) by Greg Robeson
Whoever receives one child such as this in My name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but the One who sent Me. ~ Mk 9:37
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Reflection: There are many aspects of being childlike that Jesus emphasizes throughout the Gospel, such as innocence, trust, simplicity, and dependence on another. But here, being like a child means being “poor in spirit.” Our culture loathes poverty as something to be avoided like a disease, however it offers our souls potential enrichment. In a similar light, when we fast, we empty ourselves so God can better work through our lives; this can be a powerful participation in the supernatural. But being poor in spirit is something even deeper and more profound than intermittent fasting with a purpose. It is a disposition, an attitude that takes every privation, every instance of doing without, and turns it into a celebration of the way Christ lives more fully in us. Paul embodies this when he says, “I live no longer but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). The tide is turning on the front lines of battle in the fight for life. When insult or humiliation comes your way, when you feel too weak to walk/run another step, or even when you don’t get praise you think you deserve… these are opportunities to embrace our smallness, like children, so that God can do miracles.
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Challenge: Let’s pray for each other, that our will would be united in suffering for the unborn, the greatest class of innocents being persecuted today. When we give our will to poverty, in an attempt to train our hearts in humility, we “receive Jesus.” It is only when Christ dwells in us that we are ready for supernatural battle, the type of battle being won today for the unborn.
* Run or walk 5K legs of the A-Cross America Relay for Pro-Life on the course or remotely in your local area, anytime before Mar 25 finish. Do a pilgrimage to the Relay finish line in Kansas City for a full day of Pro-Life events. Registration and details at liferunners.org/across.
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Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion. Add Prayers.
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Inspiration: “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” ~ St. Mother Teresa
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All In Christ for Pro-Life!
Greg
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* Greg Robeson and wife DeAnna live in St. Louis with their five children.