The Daily Office for May 10, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 70
Leviticus 19:26-37
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Matthew 6:25-34
Reading (Matthew 6:25-34)
Reflection
God wants us to be merciful to others. But what exactly is mercy? It’s showing kindness, compassion and love to someone who has no reason to expect such treatment and who has nothing to offer in return. Obviously the Lord is the ultimate gift-giver in this department. Because of sin, humans were destined to spend eternity apart from God. But the Lord showed mercy on us by sending His only Son to pay the penalty for our sins, thus giving us an opportunity to spend eternity with Him. No greater gift has ever been given.
Because we have received mercy from the Lord we in turn have a responsibility to show mercy to those who have hurt or offended us. Unfortunately showing mercy is not as easy as talking about it. If we’re honest we’ll probably admit that our first thought in any given situation is for ourselves. Letting go of anger or our desire to settle a score takes time and effort.
Mercy does not allow us to ignore the plight of someone who may have said something unkind about us. Mercy causes us to become physically involved in the situation, showing kindness, compassion and love. We have received God’s wonderful gift of mercy. It’s only natural that we should pass it on.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.