Scripture:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Thought for the day:

Compassion is expressed in gentleness. When I think of the persons, I know who model for me the depths of the spiritual life, I am struck by their gentleness. Their eyes communicate the residue of solitary battles with angels, the cost of caring for others, the deaths of ambition and ego, and the peace that comes from having very little left to lose in this life. They are gentle because they have honestly faced the struggles given to them and have learned the hard way that personal survival is not the point. Their caring is gentle because their self-aggrandizement is no longer at stake. There is nothing in it for them. Their vulnerability has been stretched to clear-eyed sensitivity to others and truly selfless love. - From Healing of Purpose by John E. Biersdorf

Prayer for the day:

Gracious God, allow me to share compassion with gentleness. Bring me through the death of my ambition and ego, so that I am experience the peace that comes only from You. Amen.