Reading: Psalm 146:5-10

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

Reflection

In recent years, the prosperity gospel has grown popular. Simply put, this “theology” teaches that God rewards his favored with material wealth. It’s been an excuse of both televangelists and politicians to amass personal wealth while those around them suffer.

It’s a belief that is clearly antithetical to the teachings of Jesus.

Now in this season of Advent, as we prepare for Jesus, we read these words from long before his birth.

What does the Lord do? He brings justice to his people. He cares for the widow and the orphan and lifts up those who are bowed down. He sets prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind. He cares for the least among us.

May we too care for all his children.

–Erin Hayes

Prayer

Lord of the suffering, we want to be more like you. May we too give food to the hungry and watch over strangers, in this season and always.

Amen.