Tuesday after the Fourth Sunday of End Time, 11/28/00

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. --NIV

In the name of the One Who is our shepherd, amen.

What a spiritual desert life is. Show me the things that are spiritually nourishing in this world. There are a few works of art that are uplifting, a few pieces of music that refresh us like a gentle rain, but there isn't much else. The rest of what is around us is driven by anger, jealousy, insecurity, guilt, and an out-of-control sex drive that finds no lasting satisfaction. All of these things slowly starve us. But in this desert is an oasis that moves as we move. And, unlike a mirage that is always just out of reach and only a vision, this moving oasis is real. It is watered by the healing waters of Baptism. The fruit that grows there is the nourishing body of our Savior, and it drips with the sweet nectar of His blood.

These things sustain our souls as we journey in this desert. They keep our faith alive and give us the energy to go on. They are our life, and they are the gifts of God that cause us to persevere in the True Faith. Blessed be our great Shepherd Who keeps us alive with His gifts! Amen.

Prayer: Dear Lord, there is nothing in our world to keep our souls alive except Your body and blood that You gave into death for us, and the water of Baptism that poured from Your side as you hung on the cross. When we hunger for spiritual food, make us desire Your gifts, and not sugar coated junk food from this world. We ask this for the glory of Your most holy name, amen.