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“[Jesus] asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Mark 8:27
He is not the Messiah of politics, power, and prestige.
He is the Messiah of compassion, comfort, and caring.
Today I will embody the love, mercy, and kindness of Jesus who reminds us we are made in the image of God’s love and goodness.
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“[Jesus] makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37
From Jesus, I am learning to listen to others with patience, kindness, and acceptance. I am learning to hear distress, anxiety, and grief behind complaints, anger, and blame. I am learning to speak words of comfort, encouragement, and healing. I am learning the healing of silence and the necessity of using appropriate words at the right moment.
Today I will take a minute to listen to my heart and hear the love of God. I will speak with compassion to myself and all those I encounter.
Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Mark 7:14-15
God made me in God’s own image of goodness and love. Today I will remain in God. I will refuse to be distracted and harried by the negativity, blame, manipulation, shame, and fear that bombard me from all sides. I will let my true nature of kindness, patience, encouragement, and comfort flow out of me to help heal our sorrowing world.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68
Who else could teach me to be love, to be compassion, to be forgiveness, to be healing except Jesus, the Master of kindness, reconciliation, and consolation?
Today I will serve the Lord by practicing what he has taught me: to love my enemies and my neighbor; to serve the poor, homeless, hungry, and ill; to comfort the frightened, distraught, and hopeless.
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“The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.” Luke 1:49
When I align my will with the Almighty’s, all things are possible.
Today I will ask God to show me what to do and for the grace to do it.
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Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
John 6:35
Today I will be fed by reading Scripture, taking time to be still, and knowing God is always with me.
I will feed others by being kind, listening attentively, and being respectful of their needs and hopes.
[Live]…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love. Ephesians 4:-2
Treat yourself and others with gentleness. Choose gentle words. Make your touch gentle. Look into hearts. See the fragility and vulnerability there. Know that gentleness heals.
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When [Jesus] disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34
A few of the things Jesus has taught me:
– Love my neighbor.
– Forgive those who hurt me.
– Don’t judge myself or others.
– Welcome strangers.
– Notice people and be aware of and attentive to their needs.
– Pray always.
Today I will practice one of the things Jesus has taught me by his word and example.
Lord, let us see your kindness. Psalm 85:8a
Our smiles and encouragement, compassion and respect, peaceful presence and helping hands allow others to see and know the kindness of the Lord.
Today I will be the kindness of the Lord in all my interactions.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3a
Each of us is a beloved child of God, created by God’s love for the purpose of sharing God’s love with everyone we encounter.
What prevents me from recognizing myself and others as children of the God of love?
