Let compassion and justice for the ‘least of these’ guide your life.

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As part of the following reflection, listen to my song “God Is the Goal” on YouTube and consider purchasing my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE. Thank you!

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Psalm 4:3

How long, O people, will you be hard of heart? Why do you love what is worthless, chase after lies?

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What are the things we thirst and yearn for?

If you look at our culture, the answer would be money, power and prestige.

Those are our culture’s signs of success.

All those things bring happiness that does not last.

They only lead to the desire for more of what can give us a new fleeting happiness.

All those things are worthless in the long run.

It truly is like, as the psalmist stated, chasing after lies.

Yet the glitter and allure are addictive.

Thomas Keating, the late Catholic monk and one of the founders of Centering Prayer, said all these attractions are due to our childhood emotional programs for happiness.

They can be traced back to our childhood desires for security, affection and control.

We are supposed to outgrow these aversions but unfortunately many don’t.

Many people’s behaviors remain entrenched in these programs, frequently on the subconscious level.

It takes a lot of self-awareness and perhaps professional therapy to uncover it.

Many hearts are hardened.

There is no true joy, love and peace.

Jesus told us that loving God and our neighbor as ourselves were the real keys to happiness.

He pointed us to helping the marginalized and oppressed: Whatever you did to the least of these you did to me” (Matthew 25).

Our core needs are met through the presence of God.

Who are the leaders who profess being compassionate and caring to the marginalized and oppressed, and who are the ones professing domination, greed and control?

Give your heart to the compassionate ones…for that is where you will find your true treasure (Matthew 6:21).

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Listen to the song of the day “God Is the Goal” on the Live to Love album by clicking HERE.

Purchase or stream my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!