Luke 11:9-13 (NRSV)

[Jesus said,] "I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

- Luke 11:10 (NRSV)

I was standing in line at the market when I noticed a little boy waiting at the bakery counter. He was a street kid, poorly dressed and dirty, with hair sticking up in every direction. The expression on his face was cold; his eyes had seen too much. He slowly opened his palm, where he kept one coin, and asked the salesperson what he could buy. I looked over the merchandise and sadly noted that there was nothing the poor fellow could afford. I wondered how the clerk would respond.

The woman behind the counter asked the boy which pastry he would like, wrapped it up, took his coin, and gave him change. The pastry cost two coins, but her compassion was free.

When I think back on that incident, I remember the compassion God offers us every day. Like the boy in the market, we come to God with little to offer. We are soiled by our sins and hungry. Yet God never fails to love us and freely offer compassion.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the compassion you so generously show us. Help us to love one another. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

How can I express God's compassion through my actions today?

PRAYER FOCUS:

Homeless children

By Olga Sutskova (Kohtla-Jarve, Estonia)