‘If someone compels you to go one mile for them, go a second mile instead,’ said Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:41), words that seem particularly appropriate at the moment at a time when doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and all kinds of people in the essential services – not to mention those who have volunteered at this time of crisis – are indeed going the extra mile on the part of others. As the following words from The Little Book of Lent Prayers remind us, for the Christian that should be our default position: a readiness to put ourselves out, where necessary, for the sake of others.
Forgive me, Lord,
for I take short cuts in discipleship,
offering as little as possible,
the least I can get away with.
Help me instead –
with you and with others –
to go the extra mile.
Amen.
