Eyes and Ears.... day 5

^{Lent 2015 Day 5
"} But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. "  Matthew 13.16

Jesus has just told a series of parables and quoted a verse from the prophet Isaiah in which the people are said to have shut eyes and closed ears.  But not so for the followers of Jesus.  Indeed we are blessed when our eyes see and our ears are open.

Funny, because sometimes it feels better to not see: to not see the pain in the world, the sufferings of others, the opportunities that I have to serve.  And sometimes I would rather not hear: hear the cries for justice, the words of the poor and oppressed, the pleas for mercy.  

But Jesus reminds us that we are blessed when our eyes and ears are open.  Open to the Word and open to the world.  May you go through this day with eyes and ears open and consider how that blesses you and the world.

A prayer for the day:  "No matter where we go, Lord, you go with us. In each breath we take there is the Holy Spirit filling us to excess with love, mercy, and grace. May each breath that leaves us gift others with the same blessings. Amen."