Listen

Who will harm you if you are zealous for good? But happy are you, even if you suffer because of righteousness! Don’t be terrified or upset by them. Instead, regard Christ the Lord as holy in your hearts. 

1 Peter 3:13-15a

Think

One of my passions is coffee. I am originally from a country that produces one of the best coffees in the world, and I lived in the heart of its coffee-growing region. A good coffee requires care from the time it is planted: choosing the land and the trees that give it shade influences its flavor and quality. All this care arrives at our table when we brew the coffee. Its aroma and flavor remind us of who we are and the richness of our history.

Similarly, when we meet God, God’s presence begins to envelop us. God’s aroma manifests itself in our actions: love, compassion, sincere friendship, and respect for people and creation. Not everyone will notice that aroma or God’s essence; some may ignore it. But we can trust that God dwells in us and that God’s presence is noticeable when we choose to do good. The essence of God is not trivial; it guides our mission of justice to do good.

Luis Felipe Oliveros

Question to Ponder:

What qualities in your life today reflect the aroma or essence of God?

Pray

Jesus, help me to do good at all times and share your essence. Amen.

Go

Set aside a few minutes to be in silence before God. Then go and demonstrate God’s presence with a concrete gesture of kindness.