God Thoughts February 26th

God Thoughts February 22

Memorize: I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. Philemon 4,5

Read Galatians 2:6-10 *

The great Jewish Theologian Martin Buber described the 

healthiest or maturest relationship possible between two human 

beings as an "I-Thou" relationship.  In such a relationship, I 

recognize that I am made in the image of God, and so is every 

other person.  This makes then a "Thou" to me.  They have 

dignity and worth, and are to be treated with respect.  I affirm 

them as being a unique and separate human being apart from 

me.

In most of our human relationships, however, we treat people as 

objects-as an "it." In an "I-It" relationship, I treat you as a means 

to  an end-as I might a toothbrush or a car.  I talk to people in 

order to get something off my chest, not to be with them as 

separate individuals.  I talk about people-authority figures, 

people in the news, and so on as if they were subhumans.  I get 

frustrated when people don't conform to my plans or see things 

the way I do.  (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day Peter Scazzero week 7 Day 3)

Prayer:  

May God bless you with discomfort

at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships

so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger,

at injustice, oppression,  and exploitation of people,

so that you may work for justice, freedom, and Peace.

May God bless you with tears, 

to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,

so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe you can make a difference in the world,

so that you can do what others claim cannot be done,

to bring  justice and kindness to all our children and the poor

A Franciscan Benediction