Grace and peace

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Fourth Sunday of Advent

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

God is with us. God is with us. God is with us.

There is nothing to fear. We can let go of anxiety, worry, distress, shame, negativity, blame. Jesus has come to make us whole in trust, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and peace.

Today I will open my heart to let the holiness of the Spirit within show me how to love myself and my neighbor.

Love is patient

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Third Sunday of Advent

You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

We need not look any further: the Lord is at hand in our hearts, in every person, every plant, every animal, every raindrop, every snowflake, every sunset. There is no need to be afraid. We are always in the heart of God.

Today I will be patient with myself and others as I cultivate the precious fruit of love for God and my neighbor.

In harmony

Second Sunday of Advent

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide. Isaiah 11:3

When we welcome and accept people of all cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles without being influenced by others’ opinions, when we balance justice with mercy and are faithful to God’s command to love our neighbor, then we will bear the good fruit of harmony and fullness of peace that is God’s vision for our world.

Today I will ask God for a spirit of wisdom and understanding and a heart of kindness and compassion. May I do my part to fill my little corner of the world with the knowledge of the Lord and help heal the harm caused by fear, conflict, aggression, and division.

Light my way, Lord

First Sunday of Advent
First Sunday of Advent

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:3

The climb up the mountain to the house of the Lord demands perseverance, courage, and trust. The love, example, and presence of Jesus prepare, instruct, and sustain us as we make a commitment to walk in the paths of peace, justice, healing, forgiveness, nonviolence, and compassion.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to bring the healing light of compassionate love to all the dark places in my mind and heart that impede or prevent me from walking in the paths of the Lord.

Don’t forget me

Francesco Allegrini da Gubbio (1587–1663)
Christ Crucified with the Good Thief
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash.
Framing lines in red chalk,
and in pen and brown ink on mount, 1624–63
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 80.3.326

[The other criminal said,] “Jesus, remember me.” Luke 23:42

No one wants to be forgotten, overlooked, ignored. No one wants to be abandoned, rejected, dismissed. No one wants to be excluded, pushed aside, shamed. No one wants to be treated with indifference, malice, inhumanity.

Today I will give thanks that all people have been made in God’s image of love and goodness. I will remember to be aware of the people I encounter and remember everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I will ask Jesus to help me remember to love my neighbor as myself.

Persevere with love

Pannai, Jaffna Jesus in Sun, 2019

[Jesus answered,] “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Luke 21:9

Persevere in the work of the Lord: love your neighbor, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, give shelter to the homeless, forgive those who hurt you, love your enemy. Let go of fear. Trust the Lord.

Today I will choose to place my mind, heart, and will into God’s care. I will make a commitment to do the work of compassion, reconciliation, and justice as Jesus has taught me.

Holy temples of God

Rembrandt (1606-1669) Jesus driving the money-changers from the Temple etching, state i/ii, 1635

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Each of us is a temple of God, a holy place, a holy being, made in the image of God’s love and goodness.

Whenever we are in the presence of any person, we need to remember we are in the presence of a child of God and are on holy ground. We need to treat everyone with reverence, respect, and kindness. We need to honor each person’s inner dignity because the Holy Spirit dwells in everyone.

Today I will ask Jesus to drive prejudice, disdain, greed, injustice, and indifference out of my mind and heart. I will ask him for the grace to build my life on a foundation of compassion, civility, generosity, peace, and humble service to those in need.

Jesus welcomes us all

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Jesus in Benares

[Jesus said to the crowds:] “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” John 6:37

We hope in Jesus and invite all people to walk with us in his way of mercy, love, nonviolence, justice, kindness, and healing. We walk with Jesus and have the courage to face adversity and hardship. We trust Jesus to guide us and we live in peace.

Today I will go to Jesus and know he will welcome me. I will trust him to sustain me in everything.

The Lord hears us

James Tissot (1836–1902).
The Pharisee and the Publican (Le pharisien et le publicain), 1886–1894.
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper. Brooklyn Museum.
(Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
Sirach 35:21-22a

Holy scripture assures us God hears the cries of the oppressed, the poor, the downtrodden, the marginalized, and all who are treated with disdain, injustice, and inhumanity. God invites us to open our hearts and pray from our pain and our need—without subterfuge, self-delusion, or self-aggrandizing. Our faith teaches us that God hears and answers all who willingly pray in humility and truth.

Today I will humbly admit to God my weaknesses and failures, sorrows and fears, desires and needs. I will ask God to strengthen me and guide me along the path of forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and compassion. I trust I will be heard. I trust God will respond with mercy.

Pray always

John Everett Millais (1829-1896)
The Unjust Judge and the Importunate Widow
Wood engraving; proof on India paper, 1864
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Pray always without becoming weary.
Luke 18:1b

Injustice, violence, and fear in our communities, society, and world. Rising food, housing, and utility costs. Personal illness, family dysfunction, and problems in the workplace. Each day we face great challenges. Sometimes we grow tired from holding them all, balancing them all.

When we let go of our mistaken belief that we always need to be strong, we can find relief. Asking trusted friends or family members for support will renew our energy. Reading sacred Scripture will help us hear God speak to us. Praying constantly will remind us our help is from the Lord. We need God to show us how to be and guide us in everything we do.

Today I will read Luke 18:1-8 and then spend a few quiet minutes in prayer. I will unburden myself to the Lord and ask for help, guidance, and deeper faith in God’s love for me.