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Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full. (Proverbs 19:17 (NRSV))
Recently I had a terrible cold. My throat was sore; I was aching, feeling run-down, and my nose was running. I had no medicine, so I decided to get some fresh air on the prison track. While I was on my walk, an inmate I hardly knew asked how I was doing and offered me some cough drops and honey. He wanted nothing in return. He could see my discomfort and thought only of how he could help. Later that evening a friend offered me more cough drops and a spicy soup. I soon began to feel much better in body and spirit thanks to the kindness and caring of those two fellow inmates.
Although I am in prison, I see acts of kindness, sharing, and giving every day. In my unit alone there are two “love boxes” — collection boxes for donations such as hygiene products for the inmates who cannot afford to buy these things for themselves. The true spirit of charity is one of the greatest things I have become part of and witnessed while in prison — people placing the needs of others before their own. From simple acts of kindness to an entire inmate population helping one another, it’s a beautiful thing to witness. God invites all of us to do the same.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear God, teach us to care for others the way you care for us. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Matthew 5:1 Seeing the crowds, Yeshua walked up the hill. After he sat down, his talmidim came to him, 2 and he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
3 “How blessed are the poor in spirit!
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 “How blessed are those who mourn!
for they will be comforted.
5 “How blessed are the meek!
for they will inherit the Land![Matthew 5:5 Psalm 37:11]
6 “How blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness!
for they will be filled.
7 “How blessed are those who show mercy!
for they will be shown mercy.
8 “How blessed are the pure in heart!
for they will see God.
9 “How blessed are those who make peace!
for they will be called sons of God.
10 “How blessed are those who are persecuted
because they pursue righteousness!
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me! 12 Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great — they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: To whom will I show God’s love through an act of kindness?
PRAYER FOCUS: Someone without money for necessities
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