Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD. Psalm 25:6-7
Teach my your way of kindness and goodness, Lord. Grant me the grace to remember all people are in need of compassion. Open my heart to welcome and listen to those who are suffering.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” John 1:38
When I call myself a follower of Jesus, I am looking to be more like him in kindness, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, compassion. I am looking to be more like him in following God’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense, being aware of the needs of others, helping the ill, the lonely, the discouraged.
Today I will take time in quiet prayer to consider what I am looking for as I follow Jesus. I will ask for the grace to be more like him in my interactions with others.
The Magi opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
We carry so many gifts in us. Kindness. Hospitality. Respect. Creativity. Forgiveness. Generosity. Good humor. Helpfulness. Love.
Whenever we offer our gifts to others, we offer them to the Lord.
Today I will open the treasure of my heart and share one of my gifts with someone in need.
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
May I live each day clothed in the love of God, neighbor, and self.
Today I will intentionally walk in the ways of the Lord. I will look for and honor God’s presence in every person.
“For nothing will be impossible for God.” Luke 1:37
Trust God. Let go of fear. Expect good things to happen. Share a smile, share a meal. Look for God in everyone. Bless the world with your love and respect and kindness.
Today I will remember I carry God’s love with and in me, and nothing will be impossible.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
Kindness is good. Patience is good. Respect for all people is good. Forgiveness is good. Giving thanks is good. Compassion is good.
God’s love for us is good and calls us to turn away from the dark to embrace the light.
Today I will seek the light of Christ to help me embody goodness with my words, actions, and behaviors.
Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1
We are all frail people who are suffering from something voiced or unvoiced, something accepted or denied, something tangible or intangible.
Today I will do as God asks and offer a word or gesture of comfort to everyone I meet, including myself.
God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9a
Have faith in goodness.
Have faith in love.
Have faith in mercy.
Have faith in compassion.
Have faith in God’s vision of peace and unity for our world. Watch for it. Participate in it. The vision will not fail. God is faithful.
“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'”Matthew 25:37-30
Today I will bring a little food to the food pantry, smile a welcome to someone I don’t know, write a note someone who is ill or troubled—and honor Christ in each precious person.
For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Our light is the Christ, the light of goodness, the light of love, the light of compassion, the light of mercy, the light of forgiveness, the light of healing.
Today I will shine my light of goodness and love wherever I find myself.
Mary Ann McSweeny 