The 'poor' in the Bible are not merely those with no money. They are those whose insecurity and poverty because they sometimes - or often - have no roof over their heads and no food for tomorrow have a special insight into God's grace. They realize that they have no resources in themselves unless God provides for their needs.

As Helmut Thielicke says somewhere, 'The Lord who moves the clouds and clothes the flowers is opening a way for them too and waiting for them with his surprises. The insecurity of those whose conscience is smarting can by God's grace become for them a sign which points to the fact that there is no peace that we ourselves can create, but that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart and will give his love to every human being who stands before him with empty hands.'

An approaching death is another time when we are open to God's providential surprises. Interviewed on NBC television shortly before he died, Rabbi Heschel was asked: 'You have said that the thing which keeps you alive is your ability to be surprised. What is it that has surprised you lately?' And he answered: 'Everything!'

Lord, I am beginning to understand that the most poverty-stricken life is one where money and food and shelter and clothing are all provided predictably. So where do I go from here? Amen.