MONDAY, November 22 (C.S. Lewis)

Luke 18:15-30. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor.

“Shop until you drop,” or retail therapy, is a popular way of responding to a case of the blues. This is a kind of “self Christmas,” which means giving myself lots of presents in order to affirm that when the chips are down “I love me.” This self-indulgence doesn’t work and only produces an emptier bank account and an even emptier feeling inside.

Jesus reverses the process, suggesting that we go on a giving spree—giving everything we have. It will not only cheer us up in the moment but also for eternity because it gives us entrance into the kingdom of God. In order for us to receive what God has to offer, our hearts and our lives must be empty. Sometimes we purposely empty our lives as Jesus counsels the rich man; sometimes our difficulties empty our lives for us. Either way, when the richness of God flows into an empty space, we feel fulfilled. (2004)

O spiritual soul, when you see your desire obscured, your will arid and constrained, and your faculties incapable of any interior act, do not be not grieved, but look upon it as a great good, for God is delivering you from yourself, taking the matter out of your hands.

—John of the Cross

PRAY for the Diocese of Khartoum (Sudan)

Ps 106:1-8 * 106:19-48; Zechariah 10:1-12; Galatians 6:1-10

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Nov 22, 2010 at 12:21 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

I want to follow Jesus; but, I want to have my giving recorded so that I can prove that I did it...just in case.

Manager

Nov 22, 2010 at 7:58 am

Written by John Culbertson,

How I do love C.S. Lewis! Although I could never imagine him saying, " sell all of your goods and give them to the poor", he understood the distractions that the material world presented, and took a subject that repulses from Chritianity so many and taught the meaning with a wit that invites the reader to read more, and more. Thank you Lord for the power of humor to soften our hearts, thereby allowing us to hear your message.

Literal?

Nov 22, 2010 at 8:32 am

Written by Stephen,

Should we take this literally. Sell everything? Why don't literalist's take this literally very often? It's hard enough for me, a Holy remnant of "the Frozen Chosen". Jesus couldn't have really meant this, could he? Maybe for some he did. Maybe for all he did. I am drowning in stuff at times. Even though I feel it is all for good purpose. The simplification movement is just a way to uncomplicate ones life and maybe at the expense of relationships. I think Jesus wanted the rich man to uncomplicate his life, but for the purpose of hearing God's voice and doing his will.

...

Nov 22, 2010 at 8:59 am

Written by Andrea,

Stephen, maybe if you think about this in the context of Jesus coming to heal the world from systems of domination and oppression, this would make more sense. Currently, it would take about 8 earths to supply everyone's needs if everyone in the world consumed at the rate of the average American. Since we don't have 8 earths, it's likely that you and I and most other Americans are living on stuff that rightfully belongs to others, which we have taken from them via our military and economic systems. So why should we give all we have? Because it's not ours in the first place. And only by recognizing that can we be truly free to follow Jesus, who judges us by what we do for "the least of these."

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Nov 22, 2010 at 9:33 am

Written by Lois,

Most of my problems are due to money and giving all I have could possibly reduce my stress and anxiety. I believe that in giving we will recieve but when can we let go? I guess I don't wholly trust in the Lord...or I am afraid. Or I just don't know how yet. Look at the followers of Jesus. They gave all and are still being remembered a thousand years later.This time of year is especially hard for those that have little and are suffering.

De clutter

Nov 22, 2010 at 10:09 am

Written by Mary Kier,

I don't interpret this as a giving of all material goods. ( although tithing the most we can and living without excess might help the people who have very little.)I think we should give as much as we can whenever we can. certainly giving of oneselve for others allows the Holy spirit to work through us. the joy and appreciation of such acts of generosity
inherintly make us feel more connected to God.
Then there is the symbolic interpretation of this passage. if we empty our hearts of all clutter and things that distract us from God. We create space for God to come into our hearts. It is like cleaning the clutter from our hearts we feel more at peace and ready to do God's will.

Things

Nov 26, 2010 at 8:27 am

Written by Chris,

I feel that God is Ok with me having things, money, abundance, etc., all in ways I do not completely understand to serve His will when called. It's when the thnings have me that distracts me from God, then I am not ready to serve God as He calls. Hoarding, wasteful collection, clutter, and or "building a larger warehouse to house more of my stuff", places things at the center, and not God.

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