7th. July. 2020. Daily Devotion
Matthew 5:21-22
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
I do not know about you, but there are days when hearing or reading the news makes me angry. When there are reports of hatred, bigotry, and racism; the demeaning of people because they are different; violence, greed or foolishness, it is hard to avoid getting riled up about it. But a reaction like that does not always help. We are of course allowed to be angry, as Jesus said, “be angry but do not sin,” meaning don’t make matters worse by your anger. If we read beyond these verses, Jesus tells us to do all in our power to reconcile.
How then do we react appropriately to the negatives in the news? It doesn’t help us to remain angry, we are simply adding to the sum of negativity in the world and raising our own blood-pressure. Perhaps the solution is to focus on compassion and to settle our minds to pray for peace and healing. After all, Jesus also said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and “Blessed are the merciful.” Pray instead for the victims of these vices and pray for the perpetrators also, that both may be touched by the grace that is sorely needed in much of the world today.
Christ Be with Me
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
Prayer by Jane Austen
Heavenly Father, give me grace to endeavour after a truly Christian spirit to seek to attain that temper of forbearance and patience of which my blessed Saviour has set me the highest example, and which, while it prepares me for the spiritual happiness of the life to come, will secure the best enjoyment of what the world can give. Incline me, O God, to think humbly of myself, to be severe only in the examination of my own conduct, to consider my fellow creatures with kindness, and to judge of all they say and do with that charity that I would desire from them myself. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
