Reflect
It’s easier to act compassionately when coming from a spacious place than from one constrained by fear. Thus it’s possible to prepare for a petulant person, or difficult situation. Deep breathing, imaging the face of the compassionate Christ or God’s eternal embrace, or remembering an act of compassion, can set the stage for a more humane encounter.
Pray
Jesus, I imagine you:
welcoming children,
touching the eyes of the blind
or ears of the deaf.
I drink in your compassion:
make it my own.
Act
When you see a homeless or annoying person, picture them as a four-year old. Make eye contact and greet them kindly. That recognition of shared humanity may be more valuable than giving money!
1 thought on “Advance Preparation”
God our Father, we are exceedingly frail and indisposed to every virtuous and gallant undertaking. Strengthen our weakness, we beseech you, that we may do valiantly in this spiritual war; help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.