The scriptures are filled with the adventures and mis-adventures of God's people. This week, we have read the story of Ahab whose wife Jezebel even went so far as to falsely condemn someone to death so that her husband could gain physical possessions. Today, the scriptures continue, and we see that when Ahab realizes the error of his way, he repents: He tore his garments (as a sign of his shame) and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh as a mark of repentance for his sin (1 Kings 21:27).
Even in our day, many people may be tempted to think that they don't have to answer for their actions and words, but the truth is that we are all part of one family: God's family. If only we could realize how precious this reality truly is, perhaps we would look at life differently. Living in relationship with Jesus, and with our brothers and sisters, we come to realize that each person who we meet has something to offer us - a smile, a pleasant word, some kind of encouragement or help - and that we too have it within our power to make other people's journeys through life a little bit better.
Even if we have not always realized this truth, it is not too late to ask our loving God to reveal it to us, beginning today. Ask for that grace and prepared to be pleasantly surprised. Prepare also to have your heart filled with an overwhelming desire to be generous with your talents and gifts: this is the natural response to the awareness of goodness in our midst.
Have a great day.
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