Presence

Lord, thank you for being my companion on life’s journey, each day, and in each moment, including this one. Help me to tune in to your presence now… 

Scripture

Ephesians 4:25-29

²⁵ So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and do not make room for the devil. ²⁸ Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. ²⁹ Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

Reflection

Fake news. Exaggerated truths. Blatant lies. It’s hard these days to know what the truth is. We gravitate towards those who say what we want to hear. We choose media that support our views. We say what we think people want to hear. We say things without thinking, because we’re distracted and not fully focused on what we’re doing or who we’re talking to. We tear people down rather than build them up. And we don’t even know we’re doing it. What if we could transcribe everything we said in one day and look at it critically? How much of it would have given grace to those who’d heard us?   

Closing prayer

Dear Lord, help me to really hear the things I say today, to be more conscious of the words I choose. For in listening, truly listening to myself, I will know how well I serve you. Help me to live my faith. Amen.