April 1st, 2025
The Heart of Compassion
James 1:27, 2:14-17
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
God's heart beats with compassion for the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Today's readings challenge us to examine whether our faith is merely intellectual or if it's transforming our actions. James reminds us that true religion cares for orphans and widows and keeps itself unstained by the world. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion like God's? Look around your community - who are the "Lazaruses" at your gate that you might be overlooking? Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you and give you the courage to respond with practical love and generosity. Remember, small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life.
Posted in Daily Devos