Daily Gospel Chat | Jan 3 | Case of Wisdom, Courage, and Mercy

January 3

Monday

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8 [NIV]

I think most people have a built-in sense of justice and fair play. When we see a child bullying small children, or hear of a con man swindling people, something in us knows that God's universe is being upset. Too often we just sigh resignedly. Life is not fair. But what can we do about it?

Not long ago I was on a bus in New York City. It stopped to pick up a large, red-faced woman who seemed angry about something even as she climbed aboard. Evidently, she put the wrong amount of money in the coin box, because the driver had to call her back and ask for more. This seemed to infuriate her, and she shouted a loud refusal. When he per sisted, courteously enough, she flung another coin into the box. But then she demanded his badge number. He was rude, she said, and she would report him to the authorities. After she took his number and tramped to the rear of the bus, the episode seemed over.

But a small voice seemed to whisper in my ear, "You can do something." So I went up to the driver and said, "I, too, would like your number. I want to report to your superiors that you have been calm and courteous under trying circumstances, not your fault." He gave me a quick smile and his number. I did write the letter and had a prompt reply thanking me and saying my commendation would go into the driver's file.

A small happening, to be sure. But you know, I got a tremendous lift out of it. Why? Because in a tiny way, I had tried to balance the great scales of justice that tremble in front of all of us all the time. Why not watch for opportunities to do the same? I promise you, it will make your day.

Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom and the courage to "do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly" with You. -Ruth Stafford Peale