Saturday, February 13

No longer, then, do we judge anyone by human standards. Even if at one time we judged Christ according to human standards we no longer do so. When anyone is joined to Christ the person is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into God's friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. Our message is that God was making all humanity God's friends through Christ.

II Corinthians 5:16-20

EVERYBODY...NEEDS SOMEBODY...SOMETIME

A long time ago, I was present at a conversation with twins, where the topic was, “How do you like being twins? Would you rather be separate?” The thing that remains in my mind, after all these years, is the conclusive statement made by one twin, “Well, you always have a buddy.” It’s the same thought as that voiced in the once popular song, “Everybody...needs somebody...sometime.”

Today this thought has even greater importance. In our urban society there are greater numbers of single persons. People live longer, marriages break-up, and there is not the pressure to marry and have children as there was in an agricultural society. However, one still wants and needs to feel that there is someone close by that one can reach out to, and who will understand.

We are all lonely people without you, O Lord. Where would we be were it not for your promises and presence? In your grace is our sustenance, in your will our direction, and in your love, our home and enduring companionship. Enable us to reach out with your love and share your friendship with others. Amen.

Frances Giuliani

from the 1995 Lenten Devotional