Today's first reading from the Book of Proverbs offers a striking prayer: "Give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need" (Proverbs 30:8). Father Hakeem reflects on why this ancient wisdom applies far beyond food, to our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives.
We come to know God through desire. When we have too much, self-sufficiency tempts us to forget Him and ask, "Who is the Lord?" When we have too little, with no sense of fulfillment, we can slide into rashness and despair. In between lies the daily dependence Jesus taught us to pray for: "Give us this day our daily bread."
In this reflection:
• Why Proverbs speaks in couplets and what it reveals about faith
• How riches and self-sufficiency make it harder to seek God
• Why our need for God is a gift, not a defect
• The Lord's Prayer as a prayer for "just enough"
Let the hunger you feel for God draw you closer to Him today.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Welcome from Chicago
0:10 The Book of Proverbs: wisdom in couplets
0:45 "Give me neither poverty nor riches" (Proverbs 30:8-9)
1:19 Coming to know God through desire
2:07 Too much and too little: self-sufficiency and despair
2:57 "Give us this day our daily bread"
3:41 Let your need for God draw you closer
3:53 Blessing
📖 TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Proverbs 30:5-9
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
🙏 ABOUT A WORD OF HOPE
A Word of Hope is a daily video reflection on the Scripture readings of the Mass, offered by Dominican friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great. A few minutes of encouragement and faith for your day.
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