The disciples are needy
in every way. They are simply “poor” (Luke 6:20). They have no security, no property
to call their own, no piece of earth they could call their home, no earthly
community to which they might fully belong. But they also have neither
spiritual power of their own, nor experience or knowledge they can refer to and
which could comfort them. For his sake they have lost all that. When they
followed him, they lost themselves and everything else which could have made
them rich. Now they are so poor, so inexperienced, so foolish that they cannot
hope for anything except him who called them.
Biblical Wisdom
“Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
Questions to Ponder
·
What kinds of poverty
are there?
·
In the life of faith,
what is the point of disciples being poor?
·
Bonhoeffer asserts that
for Jesus’ sake disciples lose everything. Why would Jesus want that?
Psalm Fragment
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40:17
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40:17
Journal Reflections
·
Reflect on why you would
(or would not) consider yourself poor as a disciple of Jesus.
·
Could you imagine
yourself as ever seeing poverty as a gift? Why, or why not?
Intercessions
Pray for the “rich” that
they may have compassion for the “poor.” Pray for the “poor” that they may have
compassion for the “rich.”
Prayer for Today
Lord, help me to lose
everything for your sake and so discover all that I have and am in you.
40-Day Journey with
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Books, imprint of Augsburg
Fortress.
