Harmonic power

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Domenico Piola (1627-1703)
Blessed Maria Vittoria Fornari’s Vision of the Trinity, circa 1670 National Gallery of Art

Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Every day we are welcomed into the harmonic power of the Holy Trinity, a united community whose unfailing vision for our world is love and peace.

Today I will unite myself with the power of the Holy Trinity and help carry out God’s vision of love and peace by intentionally treating all people with respect and compassion.

Filled with the Holy Spirit

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Ed de Guzman
Pentecost
gouache on special paper, 2014

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

We work together in harmony to bring about God’s vision of love and peace for humankind. We are not in competition. We are each a part of the body of Christ, given the Holy Spirit in order to serve God’s human family.

Today I will reflect on the spiritual gifts I have been given. I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me how best to use these gifts to bring peace, harmony, and love to the world.

Take refuge in the Lord

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James Tissot (1836-1902)
Ascension of Jesus
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

We belong to God, who is Love. There is no fear when we are in Love.

Today I will give all of my fears to the Lord. I will take refuge in the Lord’s strength and kindness and trust that all shall be well.

In Christ

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Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Psalm 66:1

Jesus said, “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:20

In Christ we are intimately entwined with God. There is no separation.

Today I will take joy in the gift of the Spirit of truth that helps me remember we are in Christ and Christ is in us. I will intentionally treat all people with deep reverence.

The Way of Love

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Steffen Papenbroock
“Heart of Fire”

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

Jesus is the way of love, kindness, compassion, justice, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing. To have life means I am in this truth.

Today I will intentionally follow the way of Jesus in all my interactions.

The voice of love

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Shepherd and sheep in Saudi Arabia
haitham alfalah, 28 September 2012

Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. Psalm 23:4

At this time in history, we are walking in a dark valley of cosmic panic, trauma, and grief. But we are not alone. The Lord is always with us.

When loud voices bombard us with messages of distress, despair, and doom, we must take time to get quiet and listen deeply in our hearts to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd, the One whose voice calms us and gives us hope and courage.

Today I will remember I am always in the presence of the Good Shepherd. I will remind myself I have nothing to fear.

The path of love

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Fritz von Uhde (1848-1911)
Road to Emmaus
pastel on paper, 1891
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Lord, you will show us the path of life. Psalm 16:11a

Throughout the day we have many decisions to make. When we intentionally choose words, actions, behaviors, and thoughts that reflect compassion, kindness, respect, forgiveness, and patience, we walk the way of the Lord.

Today I will keep company with the Lord as I move through the day. I will ask him to open my eyes and heart to follow the path of love.

The grace of God’s will

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Caravaggio (1571-1610)
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
oil on canvas, from 1601 until 1602
Sanssouci Picture Gallery

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19

It can be hard to believe that the peace of God is ours, a gift freely bestowed on us. All we have to do is receive it – the peace of kindness, the peace of compassion, the peace of generosity, the peace of deep listening, the peace of forgiveness, the peace of reconciliation, the peace of hope.

Today I surrender to the grace of God’s will that I receive the Lord’s peace in my heart and life. I open my heart and hands to let that peace bless everyone and every situation.

Practice the presence of God

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Chapelle Dévôt-Christ at Perpignan Cathedral,
14th century crucifix

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Psalm 22:2a

In times of grief, distress, and pain when we are brought very low, it may feel like God has abandoned us, but that is not the truth. We are always welcomed into the presence of God, the Presence of tender care and compassion.

Today I will practice the presence of God. I will deliberately pour my heart out to God about anything and everything that troubles or frightens me and know that God listens and will help me.