Daily Meditation: Not Breaking the Bruised Reeds

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Saturday March 17, 2012    Not Breaking the Bruised Reeds  Some of us tend to do away with things that are slightly damaged.  Instead of repairing them we say:  "Well, I don't have time to fix it, I might as well throw it in the garbage can and buy a new one."   Often we also treat people this way.  We say:  "Well, he has a problem with drinking; well, she is quite depressed; well, they have mismanaged their business...we'd better not take the risk of working with them."  When we dismiss people out of hand because of their apparent woundedness, we stunt their lives by ignoring their gifts, which are often buried in their wounds. We all are bruised reeds, whether our bruises are visible or not.  The compassionate life is the life in which we believe that strength is hidden in weakness and that true community is a fellowship of the weak.   Comment on this Daily Meditation. Journey with us this Lent. Reflect on COMPASSION.   Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson.

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