Ordinary Time

Pause

Be still

breathe in, breathe out

God’s first language is silence

Be still

breathe in, breathe out

listen closely for the voice of God

Listen

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love. God won’t always play the judge; he won’t be angry forever. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin or repay us according to our wrongdoing, because as high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him. As far as east is from west— that’s how far God has removed our sin from us. Like a parent feels compassion for their children— that’s how the Lord feels compassion for those who honor him.

Psalm 103:8-13

Think

At one of the middle schools where I once taught, I remember having a conversation with my students’ math teacher. When I asked how they were doing, he replied, “They will do much better once they realize getting it wrong is a part of the process of getting it right.”

God knows we are people who will make many mistakes, because getting it wrong is one of the ways we learn to get Christian life right.

God is compassionate and patient with us, never expecting perfection but hoping that when we mess up, we will not give up but instead get up and try again.

Kamal Hassan

Pray

God, may I be patient and compassionate with myself when my choices do not reflect the unshakeable goodness in me. I am grateful that I can bring my real self into my relationship with you, God. I cannot hide anything from you, but it is a relief and a blessing to know I do not have to try. Amen.

Go

I don’t feel no ways tired,

I come too far from where I started from.

Nobody told me that the road would be easy,

I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me.

from “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” by Curtis Burrell (1978)