The Lord is kind and merciful. Psalm 103:8a
Today I will reflect the kindness and mercy of the Lord in all my interactions.
The Golden Rule
Blessed are we
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. Psalm 40:5a
We are blessed to put our lives into the care of the Lord who is love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, understanding, gentleness.
Today I will let go of fear and negativity and put my hope in love.
God is here
When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. Psalm 138:3
God is here in this place.
Today I will remember to call to God when I feel lonely, overwhelmed, sad, or discouraged. I know God will answer me and give me the courage to keep on.
A more excellent way
Love is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests. 1 Corinthians 13:5
May I offer my opinions and suggestions, my experience and insights with love, in love, and through love. May I be ready to listen to others with unconditional love and deep respect.
Today I will choose my words, behaviors, and attitudes to reflect love.
We belong
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Jésus dans la synagogue déroule le livre
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you, “ nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-21
In many areas of our world and society, human life is considered cheap – to be destroyed by war, trafficking, slavery, experimental science, and many other forms of self-interest, selfishness, and greed.
We must never forget God made each precious person in the image of God’s own image of love and goodness. We must always remember to treat ourselves and every person with generosity and dignity, and with the respect and compassion that is our birthright.
We all belong to God. Today I will make sure I welcome and honor everyone I encounter.
The Spirit of love and goodness
The Wedding at Cana
Oil on canvas, between 1641 and 1660
Sint-Waldetrudiskerk
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
The same Spirit of love and goodness dwells in each precious human person. We are each led by God’s Spirit to bless our families and communities with that love and goodness in our own unique way.
Today I will ask God’s Spirit for deep awareness of the love and goodness in my heart and to show me how to bless everyone I encounter with that love and goodness.
Comfort
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1
Each of us is a beloved child of God in need of loving kindness, encouragement, and healing.
Today I will be a source of comfort to every person I encounter.
Treasures of the heart
Adoration of the Magi
Egg tempera on wood, 1667
The Loverdos Museum
[The magi] were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11
When I open my heart, treasures of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, courtesy, respect, love, peace, and compassion bless the world.
Today I will offer the treasures of my heart to everyone I encounter.
Choose kindness and gentleness
Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48280
[retrieved December 26, 2021].
Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14
There are many, many attributes I can develop so that I live out the Lord’s command to love my neighbor.
Today I will be kindness, gentleness, and patience in all my interactions.
Blessed Are We
Fresco, ca.1000
St. Sophia of Kyiv
“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45
The Lord has spoken a vision of love to us: love of God, neighbor, and self.
Today I will ask the Lord to fill me with God’s own love, peace, and joy so that I may practice what I believe. I will collaborate in the work of love by treating all people with respect, kindness, and compassion.
Mary Ann McSweeny 
