The Lord is Kind and Merciful . . . 

And yet, we are not people of kindness and mercy.  How can we be of the Lord, and yet not be like the Lord in mercy and kindness?  What have you done lately to become kinder and more merciful?

The Lord is Kind and Merciful . . . 

We are bombarded with stories and accounts of injustices and atrocities and hurt and pain from around the world, and we wring our hands in worry and compassion.  What else do we do?

The Lord is Kind and Merciful . . . 

We hear of problems in our local communities - people without food or shelter or clothing, and we shake our heads in sympathy.  What else do we do?

The Lord is Kind and Merciful . . . 

We know of relatives - immediate family, extended family - who are hurting from physical or emotional or psychological pain, and we truly feel the pain they endure.  What else do we do?

The Lord is Kind and Merciful . . .

Kindness and mercy are not spectator sports, and Lent is not the only time of year in which we are called to be kind and merciful. 

I pray today for the strength to be kinder and more merciful.