Scripture Reading
Leviticus 19:34
The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Reflection
God roots the call to welcome strangers in Israel's own experience of displacement and vulnerability. When we remember that we too have been welcomed — by grace, not merit — it becomes harder to close our hearts to those on the margins. The command to love the stranger is not optional idealism; it is grounded in gratitude for our own welcome. Who in your community needs to be seen and included today?
Prayer for Today
Lord, today is rough. And I haven't even climbed out of bed. There's too much clouding my mind, too much to face, and I can already feel the meltdown brewing inside. I don't have enough patiencewith myself or anyone elseto make it through the morning, let alone the day.
Would you meet me here and give me yours? Would you lift me up and carry me out of my room? Would you walk me through my day? Thank you for never being tired or drained. Thank you for having the power to renew my patience and my strength.
Would you meet me here and give me yours? Would you lift me up and carry me out of my room? Would you walk me through my day? Thank you for never being tired or drained. Thank you for having the power to renew my patience and my strength.
Amen.