<\/a><\/p>\nAnd by “thief” I don’t mean are we stealing from the collection plate every Sunday. I don’t mean are we pulling our minivan up to the side door of the church and looting the building. I mean, what are we taking from God? <\/strong>C’mon now…<\/p>\nLet’s use a marriage example to get us thinking. I am married to Chris. Because of this union, I owe Chris my love and fidelity. If my eye wanders, if my heart strays, I am taking what belongs to Chris and giving it to someone else.<\/em><\/p>\nIn my union with God, if my eye strays, if my heart wanders, I am taking my fidelity to God and giving it to something or someone else. And taking something that belongs to someone else, is stealing.<\/em> And I’m pretty sure that example has some not so hidden 10 Commandments embedded.<\/p>\nYou understand this is one of the reasons why pre-marital sex is so wrong right? We have no vow, covenant or promise of fidelity to the other person. We are giving away, what is not ours to give away in that disordered situation. And the other party, they are taking, accepting stolen goods. Read that one again. <\/p>\n
So back to the question, are we a thief?<\/strong> And do we justify it with a big ‘ol, “Because”?<\/p>\nMoving away from the marriage example, let’s take a quick mental run through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy:<\/p>\n
The Corporal Works of Mercy are these kind acts by which we help our neighbors with their material and physical needs. \nFeed the hungry \nGive drink to the thirsty \nClothe the naked \nShelter the homeless \nVisit the prisoners \nComfort the sick \nBury the dead<\/p>\n
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion, as listed below, by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs. \nTeach the ignorant \nPray for the living & dead \nCorrect sinners \nCounsel those in doubt \nConsole the sorrowful \nBear wrongs patiently \nForgive wrongs willingly<\/p>\n
After we go through that list, let’s go back through it again with the Scripture verse in the forefront of our mind, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”<\/em><\/p>\nIs there anything, anyone or anyplace we are stealing from listed above? And again, can we justify ourselves with a big ‘ol “Because”? For example, “I’m not forgiving that person because…<\/em>” How about, “I’m not feeding the hungry because…<\/em>”<\/p>\nThis reflection is a great question to ask God in a quiet time of prayer. “Lord, am I stealing from You in any area of my life?”<\/strong> I would suggest asking this question with a willingness to hear His answer.<\/p>\nPlease, don’t say, “I’ll ask with an open mind.” Blech! How about asking with an open heart?<\/strong> Oh, and with pen and paper handy. <\/p>\nMore Lent Devotional for Women<\/a> posts.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This Lent Devotional for Women asks the question are we a thief? We consider Judas the thief and ultimate betrayer of Jesus and asking ourselves, what do we take from God that rightfully belongs to Him? We consider marriage and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in this Lenten devotional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pgc_meta":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[90,157],"yoast_head":"\n
Lent Devotional for Women: Wednesday of Holy Week • Called to Life Coaching<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n