Reflection
Understanding helps us to see the world beyond the accepted view. It involves intellectual knowledge but it is also rooted in practical insight. Through understanding, we see ourselves within the larger context of creation. It brings a spirit of love and compassion that sees the person as always more important than the rule, and creation the interdependent reality in which we all exist. Understanding helps us to direct the actions of our lives toward God, to be open to the action of the Spirit within us. It makes us act respectful of one another’s fragility and that of all life.
Prayer
Lord, enable us to see more clearly and act more respectfully.
Action
Pray for the gift of understanding of God’s limitless love. Try to treat all others within this context.
Suggested Reading
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?”
Matthew 15:16
This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas.
Pope Francis
With the gift of understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by all the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. The gift of understanding perfects a person’s speculative reason in the apprehension of truth. “It is the gift whereby self-evident principles are known.”
Thomas Aquinas
We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.
T.S. Eliot
In this very life, when the eye of the spirit is purified by the gift of understanding, one can in a certain way see God.
Summa Theologica
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.
Galileo Galilei
Life is not perfect and people are not perfectable. Only understanding, only compassion- the ability to beat life with the rest of humanity, whatever burdens the beating brings, perfects us.
Joan Chittister, OSB
Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.
Dalai Lama XIV
Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.
Marvin J. Ashton