Standing in the Gap

/in /by

Standing in the Gap
Exodus 32:7–14

Moses had just received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai when he came down to a shocking sight: the people of Israel had turned to idolatry, crafting a golden calf and offering sacrifices to it. God’s anger burned against the people, and He told Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt” (Exodus 32:7).

Faced with the people’s rebellion, Moses did something extraordinary; he stood in the gap. He interceded. He pleaded with God to spare the people, reminding the Lord of His promises and His covenant. Moses’ words carried compassion, courage, and commitment. His heart ached for the people even when they were undeserving, and his courage allowed him to approach a holy God on their behalf. Because Moses stood in the gap, God’s wrath was turned aside, and the people were given another chance.

Standing in the gap is more than a heroic act of Moses’ time. It is a calling for every believer today. God calls us to be intercessors, to lift up the needs of others in prayer, and to bear the burdens of a broken world. Intercession is not passive; it requires:

Compassion: Feeling deeply for others, even when they stumble or stray.

Courage: Approaching God boldly on behalf of someone else, trusting in His mercy.

Commitment: Persisting in prayer, even when answers seem delayed or impossible.

When we stand in the gap, we participate in God’s redemptive work. We become channels of grace, holding up the weary, praying for the hurting, and seeking God’s guidance for justice and healing. Intercession is not only about changing circumstances. It is about aligning our hearts with God’s heart and embracing God’s mission of restoration.

Today, reflect: Who needs you to stand in the gap for them? Where is God calling you to intercede with compassion, courage, and commitment? Your prayers matter. Your presence matters. Your willingness to stand in the gap can change the course of someone’s life and can draw hearts closer to God.

Our Call to Stand in the Gap Today:  Like Moses, we are called to stand in the gap: as intercessors in prayer, as advocates for the vulnerable and as reconcilers in a divided world.

Jesus, the Ultimate Intercessor: Moses points us to the One who stands in the gap for all time: Jesus the Christ. “There is one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all…” (1 Timothy 2: 5-6).

Jesus is our Great Intercessor, pleading for us, bearing our sin, bringing the chasm between holiness and humanity. So let us follow his example. Let us pray like Moses. Love like Christ and stand in the gap for our church, our families, our world.

Let us pray:
Gracious God, give us hearts that break for what breaks yours. Give us courage to approach you boldly for others and commitment to intercede faithfully. May we stand in the gap for those in need, becoming vessels of your mercy and love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

God, the Gracious Donor

/in /by

God, the Gracious Donor

Scripture Reflection:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 (NRSV)

As we conclude the season of stewardship liturgically, we are reminded that all we have, our time, talents, and treasures flow from the generous hand of God. Hymn 716, “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending,” beautifully captures this truth: “Forever, gracious donor of our days.” God is not only the Creator of the universe but also a giver whose generosity knows no limits.

When we think of giving, we often focus on what we can offer. Yet, the hymn invites us to first recognize the Source of all gifts. God gives without measure, freely, and continually. The sun rises each day, rain falls on the just and unjust, and the Spirit moves in our lives in ways we often fail to notice. These daily gifts including our health, relationships, abilities, and opportunities reflect the unceasing generosity of our Creator.

Stewardship, then, is not merely about financial giving. It is an invitation to mirror God’s grace in every area of our lives. Just as God gives without hesitation, we are called to give with open hearts—of our time, our love, our resources, and our presence. To live as a faithful steward is to participate in God’s ongoing work of blessing the world.

Thought to Carry:
God’s generosity is boundless, and it reaches each of us daily. Take a moment to notice the gifts you often take for granted: sunlight, laughter, shelter, friendships and give thanks. Recognize that all you are and all you have is a gift meant to be shared.

Thought for Action:
This week, reflect on one way you can give generously as a reflection of God’s grace. It might be a financial gift, volunteering your time, encouraging someone, or simply offering your presence. Let your giving echo the endless generosity of God, the gracious donor of our days.

Prayer of Dedication for Stewardship:

Gracious God, you are the giver of all good gifts. We acknowledge that every blessing in our lives comes from your generous hand. Today, we dedicate ourselves and all that we have to Your service. Take our time, our talents, and our treasures, and use them to further your kingdom, to bless others, and to bring glory to your name. May our giving reflect your boundless grace and generosity. Teach us to give not reluctantly or under compulsion, but joyfully and with open hearts, trusting that you will multiply our offerings for your purposes. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Seeking God’s Wisdom in a World of Dishonest Gain!

/in /by

Seeking God’s Wisdom in a World of Dishonest Gain
Jeremiah 8:18–9:1; 1 Timothy 2:1–7; Luke 16:1–13

Introduction
We live in a time where headlines are dominated by scandals, mismanagement, and corruption. Whether in business, politics, or even personal relationships, it seems that people are often tempted to choose dishonest gain over integrity. But this isn’t a new problem. Centuries ago, God’s prophet Jeremiah lamented over the deceit, greed, and injustice of his day. He mourned for a people who had turned away from honesty and righteousness, seeking what was easy rather than what was right (Jeremiah 8:18–9:1).

God’s Wisdom in a World of Temptation
In the midst of moral decay, God calls us to seek His wisdom. True wisdom is not simply cleverness or skill in worldly matters: it is a deep understanding of God’s will that shapes our choices, our resources, and our relationships. Luke 16:1–13 reminds us that faithful stewardship matters: how we handle worldly wealth and opportunities reflects the state of our hearts and our commitment to God. Dishonest gain may offer temporary advantage, but it cannot build lasting trust or eternal value.

1 Timothy 2:1–7 exhorts believers to engage prayerfully in the world. Prayer is not passive: it is our means of aligning our hearts with God’s justice, mercy, and truth. By interceding for leaders, communities, and those in need, we participate in God’s redemptive work and cultivate hearts that resist selfishness and greed.

Living Out God’s Wisdom Today
Seeking God’s wisdom leads to faithful stewardship. It means:

Choosing integrity over short-term gain. Managing our resources with care and generosity. Engaging in prayerful discernment for our leaders, families, and communities.

We are called to be wise stewards. We are called to live with eternal priorities. We are called to pray, grieve, and act. We are called to resist dishonest gain and live with integrity.

When we align our actions with God’s wisdom, we become witnesses to a world consumed by self-interest. We show that honesty, faithfulness, and generosity are not weaknesses: they are marks of a life that trusts in God’s provision.

Beloved, in a world that celebrates cunning and rewards corruption, God is still calling a people who will seek God’s wisdom. Wisdom that does not manipulate but ministers. Wisdom that does not exploit but uplifts. Wisdom that leads not to fleeting gain but to eternal glory.

May we, the children of life, live not by the ways of the world but by the wisdom of Christ. May we be found faithful in what we have been given, and bold in how we use it for God’s Kingdom. Our charge is very simple: for the world may chase dishonest gain, but we, we seek the wisdom of God. 

Reflection
Ask yourself: Where am I tempted to take shortcuts for personal advantage? How can I steward the gifts God has given me with honesty and integrity? Who in my community needs my prayers and faithful engagement?

Prayer
Gracious God, give us wisdom in a world that often values gain over integrity. Help us to manage our resources faithfully, act justly, and pray without ceasing for our leaders, neighbors, and ourselves. May our choices reflect your truth, and may our lives bear witness to your righteousness through Jesus the Messiah. Amen.

Hope Beyond Circumstances

/in /by

Hope Beyond Circumstances

Scripture: Romans 8:28; Psalm 27:13–14; Isaiah 40:31

“Hope is not dependent on peace in the land, justice in the world, and success in the business. Hope is willing to leave unanswered questions unanswered and unknown futures unknown. Hope makes you see God’s guiding hand not only in the gentle and pleasant moments but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness.” Henri Nouwen

Life does not always unfold as we plan. Wars rage, injustice persists, businesses fail, and personal dreams sometimes crumble. Yet Henri Nouwen reminds us that hope is not anchored in circumstances—it is anchored in God. Hope is a quiet courage that trusts God even when the answers are unclear and the future uncertain.

The psalmist models this in Psalm 27:13–14: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Even when life is shadowed by disappointment, waiting in hope allows us to see God’s guiding hand.

Paul echoes this in Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Hope sees God at work not only in moments of triumph and joy but also in seasons of uncertainty and pain.

Isaiah 40:31 offers encouragement: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” True hope is transformative—it strengthens our hearts, renews our perspective, and allows us to persevere, even in the darkest valleys.

Hope is not passive. It is a deliberate posture of trust. It chooses to see God’s presence in every circumstance, to lift our hearts to God even when the road ahead is unclear, and to rest in His promises even when life feels uncertain.

Reflection Question:
Where in your life do you need to practice hope, that is trusting God in the unknown, waiting patiently, and believing that He is at work even in the shadows?

Prayer:
Faithful God, teach us to hope beyond circumstances. Help us to trust Your guiding hand in both joy and disappointment, to wait patiently for your purposes, and to find courage in the shadows of uncertainty. May our hearts rest in your promises, and may hope shape every step we take through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Dressed for Heaven, Not the Headlines

/in /by

Theme: Dressed for Heaven, Not the Headlines
Scripture: Colossians 3:1–17 (NRSV)

Every day, we are bombarded by headlines by breaking news, political drama, celebrity scandals, global crises, and personal tragedies. The world demands our attention, pulls our emotions, and shapes our reactions. But headlines are only surface deep. They stir emotion, not transformation. They grab attention, not devotion. They make noise, but they rarely make disciples.

As followers of Christ, we are called to go beyond the headlines. We are invited to look deeper, to live differently, and to dress ourselves not in reaction to the chaos of this world, but in reflection of the calm and character of heaven.

Go beyond the headlines. Go beyond what the world deems breaking, urgent, or worthy of attention. Go deeper into the story that God is writing, the one not splashed across front pages but carved into hearts. Go beyond the shallow garments of fear, division, and self-promotion.

That is why Paul writes in Colossians 3, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” These are not garments made by the world — they are woven by grace, stitched with love, and fastened with forgiveness. To be “dressed for heaven” means our words, actions, and attitudes reveal the Christ who lives in us.

Paul urges us to take off the old clothes including anger, malice, slander, deceit — the tattered garments of a world in turmoil. They no longer fit those who have been raised with Christ. Instead, we are to wear the new self, “renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator.”

In a culture addicted to headlines, we are called to become the footnotes of God’s grace, quiet but powerful, unseen but life-changing. The world may not broadcast our kindness or compassion, but heaven takes notice. Every act of patience, every gesture of humility, every word of love tells a different story, that is God’s story breaking into a noisy world.

So today, before you step into your day, pause and ask: What am I wearing?
Are you dressed in reaction to the world’s fear, or in reflection of heaven’s peace?
Are you shaped by what you see on screens, or by the Spirit within you?

Let us put on the garments of grace including compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love  and live as those who are already citizens of heaven.

Thought for the Day:
The world writes headlines. God writes eternity. Be dressed for heaven  and let your life become His good news.

Prayer:
Gracious God,
In a world filled with noise, fear, and fleeting headlines, help us set our minds on things above. Clothe us with compassion when the world is harsh, with kindness when others are cruel, with humility when pride takes center stage, and with patience when life feels rushed and restless.
May we wear love as our daily garment and reflect the beauty of heaven wherever we go. Let our lives become quiet footnotes of Your grace transforming hearts, restoring hope, and pointing others to Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

When the World Weeps, Does the Church Care?

/in /by

When the World Weeps, Does the Church Care?

Scripture Readings:
Jeremiah 8:18–9:1; 1 Timothy 2:1–7; Luke 16:1–13

When the world weeps, does the church? That is not just a devotional title rather a question for every generation of believers. Today, the world is still weeping through wars, through hunger, through loneliness, through injustice, through poverty, unemployment. The question is not whether the world weeps. The question is whether the church cares enough to act.

The prophet Jeremiah looked upon the suffering of his people and wept. His heart broke over the spiritual decay, the injustice, and the indifference that plagued his nation. He felt God’s grief deeply—so deeply that he cried, “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears.” (Jeremiah 9:1) Jeremiah’s lament was not from a distance. He was not a detached observer. He was personally broken by the suffering of his people. His tears were an expression of God’s own heart. 
Jeremiah reminds us that faith is not merely about belief—it is about bearing the heart of God for a hurting world.

When the world weeps—through war and famine, injustice and hatred, loneliness and despair—does the church care?Do we allow the tears of others to reach our hearts, or have we become too accustomed to the world’s pain to be moved by it? When the world weeps, do we look away, or do we let God break our hearts like Jeremiah’s?

In 1 Timothy 2:1–7, Paul calls believers to intercede for everyone—for kings and for ordinary people, for neighbors and nations alike—because prayer is the church’s first act of compassion. To pray is to care. To lift the needs of the world before God is to stand in the gap between human suffering and divine mercy. The church that prays with sincerity becomes a vessel of healing and peace in a divided world.

In Luke 16, Jesus tells the parable of a shrewd manager—a story not about financial cleverness, but about spiritual awareness. The children of this age, Jesus says, are often more diligent in pursuing worldly goals than believers are in advancing the kingdom of God. In other words, if the world is strategic about self-interest, how much more intentional should the church be about love, justice, and compassion?

Caring, in the way of Christ, requires more than sympathy—it demands engagement.

It means standing beside those who suffer, not just praying from a distance. It means using our resources faithfully—not for self-gain, but for the healing of communities. It means being the “balm in Gilead” that the world so desperately needs.

When the world weeps, the church must not turn away. We are called to embody the compassion of Christ, to be His hands that comfort, His voice that speaks peace, His presence that brings hope. 

When the world weeps, does the church care? The answer is not found in what we say, but in what we do now in the world. Let us be the church that weeps with Jeremiah, prays with Paul, and serves with Jesus. Let us be the church that brings hope into places of despair. Let us be the church that cares because Christ cares.

May our hearts be moved like Jeremiah’s, our prayers be fervent like Paul’s, and our actions be faithful like Christ’s—until the tears of the world find healing in the love of God flowing through His people.

Reflection Question:
When you see the pain of the world—whether on the news, in your neighborhood, or within your own community—how is God calling you to care?

Prayer:
Merciful God, when the world weeps, help us not to look away. Teach us to care as You care—to pray, to act, to love with the compassion of Christ. Make us instruments of Your healing and peace. Amen.

Why This Matter Today

/in /by

Introduction to the Book of Baruch

The Book of Baruch is one of the lesser-known writings in the Bible, found among the Deuterocanonical or Apocryphalbooks—those included in the Catholic and Orthodox Christian Bibles, but not in the traditional Hebrew or Protestant canons.

Baruch was a close companion and scribe of the prophet Jeremiah. The book that bears his name is often understood as a continuation of Jeremiah’s message of faith, repentance, and restoration. Written to a people living in exile after Jerusalem’s fall, Baruch’s words are filled with deep sorrow for sin—but also radiant with hope in God’s mercy.

The book reminds the exiled people of Israel that although their suffering came from turning away from God, they are not abandoned. Baruch calls them to “take courage” and trust that the same God who allowed their scattering will also gather them again in compassion.

At its heart, Baruch is a song of return—a call to remember, repent, and renew one’s faith in the steadfast love of God. It teaches that no matter how distant we may feel, God’s promises still reach us. Hope, as Baruch reminds us, will always have the last word.

Why This Matters Today

The message of Baruch speaks powerfully to our own times. Like the people of Israel in exile, we too face moments when life feels scattered—when we long for renewal, direction, or comfort. Baruch reminds us that even in seasons of loss or dislocation, God has not forgotten us.

His repeated words, “Take courage,” echo across the centuries as a call to trust in God’s ongoing work. They invite us to see beyond our present struggles and to believe that restoration is possible.

In a world often weary from division, fear, and disappointment, Baruch offers a timeless truth: God’s mercy still gathers, God’s love still rebuilds, and God’s hope still endures.

When we open our hearts to this truth, we begin to see that our stories like Israel’s are not over. The God who began the work of grace in us will not leave it unfinished. Hope, indeed, is the last word.

Hope is the Last Word!

/in /by

Theme: “Hope Is the Last Word”
Scripture: Baruch 4:5, 21, 27, 30 (NRSV)

“Take courage, my people” 4:5

“Take Courage, my children, cry to God and he will deliver you from the power and hand of the enemy.” 4: 21

  “Take courage, my children, and cry to God…” 4: 27

   “Take courage, O Jerusalem, for the one who named you will comfort you.” 4: 30

Devotion

The words of Baruch rise from a time of deep sorrow and exile. God’s people were scattered, weary, and wondering if hope had finally run out. Yet, into that despair comes a voice: gentle but firm, saying again and again: “Take courage.”

These words are not mere comfort; they are a command of faith. Take courage, because the story is not over. Take courage, because God has not forgotten. Take courage, because hope that is God’s hope is the last word.

Hope in Scripture is not wishful thinking. It is the quiet confidence that God’s promises still stand even when everything else seems to fall apart. Baruch reminds the exiles that the same God who allowed their scattering is also the God who will gather them again. The same Lord who named them will comfort them.

We too live in a world that knows exile—injustice, grief, disconnection, and fear. Yet the voice of God still whispers through the pages of Baruch: Take courage. When your prayers seem unanswered, take courage. When the world feels uncertain, take courage. When tears blur your vision of tomorrow, take courage. For hope—real, resilient, God-given hope will have the last word.

Jerusalem’s comfort was not found in their circumstances but in their covenant. And our comfort, too, is found in the God who remains faithful. He does not abandon the story midway. He writes redemption into every chapter, until grace and glory close the book.

So, wherever you find yourself today, hold fast to this truth: the end of the story is not despair, but hope.

Thought for Reflection

When everything around you says “give up,” God’s Word still says “take courage.” Hope is not the first thing to fade—it is the last thing to stand.

Closing Prayer

Faithful God, when life feels heavy and our hearts grow tired, remind us that you have not finished your work in us. Give us courage to trust your promises and patience to wait for your comfort. Let hope be the last word in our story, as it is in yours through Jesus the Messiah. Amen.

Hope When You Feel Discouraged

/in /by

Hope When You Feel Discouraged

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 54:4–10; Romans 5:1–5; John 16:33 (NRSV)

“In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33)

Devotion:

Life can feel overwhelming. Across our communities and the world, people face struggles that threaten to steal peace and hope. Economic uncertainty leaves families anxious about the next meal. Wars rage far and near, shattering lives and hearts. Hurricanes, floods, and natural disasters uproot homes and dreams. Homelessness and poverty press upon too many, leaving them feeling invisible and forgotten. Even legal troubles, unjust arrest, or personal crises weigh heavily, causing fear, depression and sometimes thoughts of despair.

In addition, there are moments when discouragement settles in like a heavy fog—when our efforts seem fruitless, our prayers feel unanswered, and our hearts grow weary from carrying unseen burdens. Yet it is in these very moments that the voice of God whispers through Scripture, calling us not to give up, but to look up.

In Isaiah 54, God speaks tenderly to His people, saying, “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed… my steadfast love shall not depart from you.” Israel was facing devastation, yet God’s promise remained unwavering: His love is more enduring than the mountains and more steadfast than the hills. This is the kind of love that anchors us when everything else seems uncertain.

In Romans 5, Paul reminds us that even our trials are not wasted in God’s hands. “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope—and hope does not disappoint us.” Discouragement may test us, but it also refines us. The Spirit of God transforms our pain into perseverance and our weakness into witness. Hope is not the denial of hardship—it is the divine assurance that God’s grace is still at work in the midst of it.

Finally, in John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples—just before the cross—“In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t promise an easy path; He promises His presence and His victory. Because Christ has overcome the world, we can face our darkest days with a hope that will not die.

When we feel overwhelmed, the beloved hymn “Why Should I Feel Discouraged” (GTG #661) becomes a gentle reminder of this same truth. Its refrain, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,” echoes the gospel assurance that we are never forgotten, never abandoned, and always held in the watchful care of a faithful God. The hymn invites us to sing our way through sorrow, to let melody become prayer, and to remember that Christ’s victory gives us reason to hope even when our hearts are heavy.

Dear friend, if you feel discouraged today, know this: God’s covenant love still holds you. His peace still surrounds you. And His promises still stand firm. The same Lord who spoke comfort to exiled Israel, who strengthened Paul in his suffering, and who calmed the fears of the disciples, speaks to your heart today—
“Take courage. I have overcome.”

Hope is not the absence of hardship. It is the presence of God in the midst of hardship. It is the quiet assurance that no matter the storm including economic, social, natural, or personal, the unshakable God is with us, sustaining us, and inviting us to rise above despair.

Reflection Question:
What situation in your life needs to be seen through the lens of Christ’s victory rather than your present discouragement? How might the words of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” help you find renewed trust in God’s care?

Prayer:
Faithful God, when discouragement weighs me down, lift my eyes to Your promises. Remind me that Your steadfast love will never depart from me. Fill my heart with the peace of Christ, and renew my hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the Week:
When discouragement whispers, let hope sing—because the One who watches over the sparrow also watches over you.

We Are Matthew 25: Called to Care for the Least of These

/in /by

We Are Matthew 25: Called to Care for the Least of These

Scripture: Matthew 25:40 – “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Additional Readings: Isaiah 58:6–14; Galatians 6:7–10

Reflection
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 remind us that faith is never meant to be passive. It is active, visible, and lived in relationship with those who are often overlooked: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. When we reach out to serve others, we are not merely performing acts of kindness; we are encountering Christ Himself.

Isaiah 58 calls us to genuine worship: one that loosens the chains of injustice, feeds the hungry, and cares for the oppressed. And Paul in Galatians reminds us that our deeds have eternal significance: what we sow, we shall reap. Acts of compassion, however small, ripple beyond what we see.

Consider the story of a congregation that noticed an elderly neighbor living alone. They started bringing meals, checking in, and offering rides to appointments. The simple act of showing care not only met her physical needs but also brought hope and joy into her life. One day, she said, “You are showing me the love of Jesus.” That is Matthew 25 in action.

God is present everywhere in the ordinary, in the broken, in the overlooked. To see God is to see the sacredness in every life, and to respond with fierce love. Too often, we cannot recognize Jesus Christ in our neighbor—let alone in ourselves. So go ahead.  and recognize Jesus there. In the words of Ntozake Shange—“Love her fiercely!” So go with boldness, go with love, go with the Gospel into the world. Notice Jesus Christ in the person collecting your garbage. Recognize God in the young man shot down by violence. Celebrate God in the grandmother raising children again. Notice Jesus Christ in the woman sleeping under the bridge. Acknowledge Jesus Christ in the youth standing on the corner. Know God in the stranger living with mental illness. Remember always “We Are Matthew 25: Called to Care for the Least of These.”

Practical Application

See: Take time this week to notice someone in your neighborhood, workplace, or church who is in need—whether emotional, physical, or spiritual.

Serve: Offer tangible help—prepare a meal, send an encouraging message, volunteer your time, or simply listen.

Reflect: Ask yourself: “Where did I see Jesus today?” and “How can I follow Him in serving others?”

Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to see you in every person we meet, especially those who are hurting, overlooked, or in need. Open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands so that we may serve faithfully. Let our lives be a reflection of your love, and may all that we do bring glory to your name, through Jesus the Messiah. Amen.

Closing Thought
We are Matthew 25 people—called to care, called to serve, called to love. Let us not pass by the least of these, for in them we meet our Lord. Amen.