It is easy to seek God in prayer, but the truth of prayer is revealed in the way you look upon your neighbor.
Every person who crosses your path is a call to love. Some bring you joy, others test your patience, and still others wound you. Yet none comes into your life apart from God’s permission. Each one can become either a step toward humility or a cause of stumbling, depending on how you open your heart.
Do not say that you love God if you are unwilling to bear your brother’s weaknesses. Love is not proven by beautiful words, but by forgiveness, gentleness, and the patience with which you carry another’s frailty. Very often, the purest prayer is to remain silent when you could wound with a word.
Christ did not command us only to do good to those who love us, but also to bless those who persecute us and to pray for those who wrong us. There begins the love that resembles the love of God.
When you look upon your neighbor, do not first ask what he owes you. Ask instead what Christ expects of you toward him.
“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)
