If you meet your enemy's ox

or his donkey going astray,

you shall bring it back to him.

If you see the donkey

    of one who hates you

   lying down under its burden,

you shall refrain from

   leaving him with it;

you shall rescue it with him.

               Exodus 23. 4-5

(Grace sees others differently.

Grace goes beyond

       the call of duty

       and what is expected

and comes alongside.

Grace is never

    a result of earning,

but of yearning,

setting aside rights

   and wounded feelings,

and stepping into need.

Beware of pride getting in the way

of doing what is good,

              right and kind.)

O LORD,

May our love for You

saturate our relationships.

Help us to live

  in such a way

  that Your love is seen

            through us.

Reveal to us

    the needs around us,

    both visible and

          hidden in hearts.

Show us

     how to respond

     in meaningful ways.

Grant us the courage

    and selfless love

that should so mark us

            as Yours.