And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32
Jesus, the bread of life, nourishes me with his example of loving service so that I become more like him in kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
Today I will give thanks to the One who feeds me on the Way of peace, reconciliation, and love.
So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” John 6:28-29
To follow the Way of Jesus Christ, to practice forgiveness, compassion, healing, and awareness of the needs of others, to surrender to the will of God: this is the work I am called to accomplish every day.
Today I will nourish myself with the Word of God and believe that Jesus was sent from God to show me how to live, love, and do the works of God.
[L]ive in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
Let us not waste any opportunity to treat all people with reverence. Let us feed each other with kindness and gentleness. Let us share peaceful words and be unified in God’s Spirit of love and mercy.
Today I will feed myself, my family, friends, and everyone I encounter with patience and kindness.
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
Let us follow the teaching of the Lord, our shepherd, and take care of each other in peace and love. Let us follow his teaching and forgive those who hurt us. Let us follow his teaching and love one another, even our enemies.
Today I will intentionally choose peace over conflict, reconciliation over revenge, and love over indifference.
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. Mark 6:7
We give and receive strength for life’s journey by walking, working, praying, grieving, and laughing with each other. Our relationships teach us to love, forgive, reconcile, and find peaceful solutions to conflict. When we spend time with those who suffer, we are healed in unfathomable ways and our compassion deepens.
Today I will claim the authority God has given me to work with others to heal all that prevents us from living in unity, including my own fears and prejudices.
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The Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 9
Vulnerability and weakness remind me of my humanity. In humble awareness that I can do nothing without God, I turn to the Lord whose grace gives me the power to keep going.
Today I will ask the Lord to grace me with mercy, love, trust, and courage.
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Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper. Psalm 30:11
When all I can do is pray for help, faith tells me that God is with me, listening and answering.
Today I will turn to the Lord when I am troubled, in pain, distressed, or grieving. The Lord will help me.
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Then Jesus asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Mark 4:40
Faith tells me that whatever is happening in the world and in my life, God is in charge and all shall be well.
Today I will not let the storms of life terrify me. Instead I will put my attention on the Lord. I will ask him to increase my faith and help me trust God’s vision of love, peace, and unity is unfolding in God’s time.
The people all answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Exodus 24:3
The Lord has told us to love one another. May we embody patience, kindness, respectful listening, nonviolence, forgiveness, gentleness, and generosity.
Let us join together to build up the Body of Christ in love and service to one another.
For those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Romans 8:14
The Spirit leads us to trust the goodness of our hearts, to look for the face of God in all people, to treat each member of God’s human family with loving kindness, to listen to others with patience and understanding, to breathe peace into every situation.
Today with child-like faith I will let the Spirit lead me into God’s heart of compassion and wisdom.
Mary Ann McSweeny 