What makes a person trustworthy? What makes a community trustworthy? How might these teachings be invitations to compassion? In what ways do I feel invited to compassion? Can I self-evaluate without condemnation, with grace, and with a readiness to grow?

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill…”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Recall a time when you might have felt guided by the Holy Spirit to receive a blessing from a stranger or give a blessing to a stranger (however you understand “stranger”). Was it sudden? Gradual? Who or what helped prepare you? Have there been, or are there now, language barriers in your life? (Literal or metaphorical.) What can we, the church, do to take away those barriers?

How am I cultivating a sense of wonder and appreciation for what is good and beautiful? How do I remain receptive and hospitable to new possibilities, ideas, and directions? How am I proactively opening myself to finding God in others? How could practicing curiosity be an expression of bravery for me? How might curiosity facilitate the coming of peace and justice in our world?

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”