19th February. 2021. Daily Devotion.
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
29 ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’ Mark 12:28-31
From Peter Miller this week:
History will remember:
History will remember when the world stopped, and the flights stayed on the ground. And the cars parked in the street. And the trains didn’t run.
History will remember when the schools closed and the children stayed indoors, and the medical staff walked towards the fire and they didn’t run.
History will remember when the people sang on their balconies, in isolation, but so very much together in courage and song.
History will remember when the people fought for their old and weak and protected the vulnerable by doing nothing at all.
History will remember when the virus left and the houses opened, and the people came out and hugged and kissed and started again.
Kinder than before. Donna Ashworth.
The ancient wisdom:
If we are ever to find peace either in ourselves or with the world, we shall have to learn again that ancient wisdom which alone can give us peace with nature and with God, and which was summed up by Dostoevsky in the words of the Prior of the monastery in which the Brothers Karamasov met: “Brothers, have no fear of human failing. Love a person even in their failings, for that is the semblance of the divine love, and is the highest love on earth. Love all God’s creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it. Love every leaf and every ray of God’s light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love.” The late Father Bede Griffith of India in his popular book ‘The Golden String: An Autobiography.’
*** There is dignity here – we will exalt it. There is courage here – we will support it. There is humanity here – we will enjoy it. There is a universe in every child – we will share it. There is a voice calling through the chaos of our times; there is a spirit moving across the waters of the world; there is movement, a light, a promise of hope. *** Philip Andrews
Prayer for the Morning
I call upon you, O Lord. In the morning you hear me; in the morning I offer you my prayer, watching and waiting.
I lift my heart to you, O Lord, to be strengthened for this day. Be with me in all I do, my God; guide me in all my ways.
I will carry some burdens today; some trials will be mine. So I wait for your help, Lord, lest I stumble and fall.
I will do my work, Father, the work begun by your Son. He lives in me and I in him; may his work today be done. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, listen to our prayer. Give us your grace to be salt and light at this time of pandemic: Lead us on the path of courage and kindness.
Assist us to reach out to those in need to share your Divine Grace
with all those near and dear to us. This our prayer through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen~ By a Columban Missionary.
