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.
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Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. Wisdom 6:12
The wisdom of God is in our hearts. Our hearts know how to love, how to forgive, how to welcome others, how to discern truth and justice.
Today I will replenish my supply of patience, mercy, kindness, and compassion by spending five minutes alone with the Lord. I will find wisdom by listening to the love in my heart.
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Jesus said, “You have but one teacher, the Christ.” Matthew 23:8b
May my life—every word, action, and attitude—center on what Christ has taught me:
Welcome everyone.
Forgive everyone.
Love everyone.
Today I will find peace in carrying out the lessons Christ my teacher has taught me.
Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39b
Today I will not oppress or wrong anyone. I will be faithful to the Lord’s command to love my neighbor.
Love is respect. Love is kindness. Love is welcoming. Love is nonjudgmental. Love is listening. Love is peace-making.
Love is acknowledging the presence of God in each and every person everywhere.
At that Jesus said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21
Kindness, compassion, forgiveness, healing, peace, joy, reverence, and love belong to God.
Today I will repay God’s love for me by respecting and honoring all people everywhere.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. Psalm 23:4
We are walking in a dark valley at this time in history. War and hatred are not God’s way. Peace and love are God’s way.
Today I will remember the Lord is walking beside me and leading me in his way. I will release all fear. I will have the courage to love my neighbor even when we do not see eye to eye.
Mary Ann McSweeny 