Peter (not his real name) tells a story about his sister-in-law from Velddrif: 

She said that she went shopping at the Spar in Laaiplek where there was always a female security guard at the entrance and exit. 

The woman always looked sad and depressed. 

One day as she walked past her, she greeted her and smiled at her. She also gave her an apple she had just bought. 

She said you could see the joy on that woman’s face. 

When she shopped there again, she saw the woman greeting everyone with a smile as they entered and exited the store. 

She even got promoted to a higher rank. 

Peter concluded: 

A little friendliness and a smile cost nothing and you can change someone else’s life when you share it. 

It doesn’t take much to make a big impact on other people’s lives. Peter’s sister-in-law was sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. She saw the need and did something about it, with everlasting consequences in someone’s life. 

She didn’t cling to her apple and argue that she bought it for herself, and that the other woman could go and buy one herself – after all, she had a job. No, she shared with others out of love. 

17If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. 

Peter’s sister-in-law certainly does not fall into this category. 

This reminds me of the Latin song, Ubi caritas: Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi Est. Where there is love and compassion, there is God, the Lord. 

The opposite is probably also true. Where there is no love and compassion, God is not present. We make God invisible to others when we do not live His love. 

We can easily miss the bus on this one, becoming too busy to notice the needs of others. We can easily not have time to stop for a moment, smile at someone, and give them an apple or something. 

Let’s make sure we don’t miss these opportunities. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us see the needs around us and give us the strength to share. Where there is love and compassion, there is God, the Lord. 

Scripture
1 John 3:11-18 

Reflection
Do you notice the places where love is needed?
Is compassion always one of your instruments?
To whom should you show love and compassion? 

 Prayer
Father, I know I miss many of the places where I should be living with love and compassion. Let Your Spirit open my eyes and hands. Amen.