Turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
Isaiah 55:7b-8
The week has been full of stress. Today I feel in great need of God’s gentle comfort, mercy, and compassion.
May I also remember to imitate God’s kindness and forgiveness and to follow the Way of care for all of God’s creation, especially the people I find difficult to love.
Though darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds, the peoples,
Upon you the LORD will dawn,
and over you his glory will be seen. Isaiah 60:2
Today I will not let the darkness of the pandemic, political posturing, and social tumult cover me. I will shine the glory of God’s love and compassion and comfort in my home, workplace, and community to help dissipate the clouds of fear, unrest, and discord that trouble our world.
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me. Isaiah 61:1a
The Lord has anointed me with love, peace, and joy, May I receive the grace of God’s holy blessing, be filled with God’s Spirit, and become a source of love, peace, and joy for all people.
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.
Isaiah 40:1
Today I will lend you my strength in whatever way I am able. You are welcome to my experience of suffering, humor, joy, depression, peace, anxiety, and the hope I have found by walking through the valleys, climbing the mountains, and leaning on the Lord. This is the comfort I offer you.
Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of you in our ways.
Isaiah 64:4
May you meet me doing what is of the Lord: kindness, generosity, compassion, forgiveness, encouragement, comfort.
Today I will be mindful of choosing the ways of the Lord in all my interactions.
George Pencz (ca.1500-1550)
To Feed the Hungry
Engraving
National Gallery of Art
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13
No matter our situation, we can add flavor to life by sharing kindness with those who are hungry for attention. We can offer the shelter of our compassion to those who are suffering. We can wrap the lonely in the caring warmth of our companionship.
Today I will seek quiet moments to pray and meditate so that I may not lose my taste for loving and serving my neighbor.
Léonard Gaultier, 1561-1641
Follow Me and I will Make You Fishers of Men
engraving, probably c. 1576/1580
Washington, National Gallery of Art
Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
Isaiah 8:23b—9:1
The light of hope is always with me in the person of Jesus, who calls me by name and asks me to follow his way of forgiveness, compassion, and peace.
Lord, you are healing for those who suffer from despair, grief, and injustice. Help me to bring your light of love with me today that I may be a comforting presence to those in need.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
Isaiah 9:1
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7b
Grace and peace unending, eternal light of love, compassion, forgiveness, comfort.
Today I will make use of God’s gifts to me to dispel a little bit of the gloom that pervades our society and world.
First Sunday of Advent
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. Isaiah 2:4
Today I pray that I may turn my swords and spears of impatience, indifference, envy, rudeness, self-seeking, acrimony, and resentment into life-giving love: patience, kindness, acceptance, courtesy, generosity, peace-making, and forgiveness.
We are called by our baptism to remember each member of our human family is beloved of God.
It is our lifework to offer compassion to the suffering, forgiveness to those who have hurt us, and comfort to those who are grieving and burdened with the stresses that arise in life.
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1
