One stream in psychology suggests that all human behavior is need driven. We do this, that, or the other because of some physical, mental or social need. The prophet Isaiah suggests that we must widen our understanding of need. Our needs are not limited to ourselves as individuals. We also need to care for those who are “our own.” It is the need of her child, not the mother’s need, that drives her behavior. For the prophet our needs include the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed. After all, since we’re all the children of God everyone out there is brother and sister and mother to us. Our Lenten practices should lead us to feel, and respond to, the needs of others.
MARCH32017
By Church Staff