You are welcome here

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Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib (Egyptian, active ca. 1684) (Scribe)
folio from Walters manuscript W.592
ink and pigments on laid paper
The Walters Art Museum

Thus says the Lord: For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Isaiah 56:7

God loves and welcomes all people of every race, culture, nation, age, gender, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status equally and without exception.

Today I will examine my life and discern where I have been unwelcoming to any of God’s people. I will ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart that I may be a welcoming and loving presence to everyone I encounter.

A silent knowing

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Henry Ossawa Tanner (American, 1859 – 1937)
The Disciples see Christ Walking on the Water
Oil on canvas, 1902-1912
Des Moines Art Center

After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
1 Kings 19:12-13

God speaks so quietly to and in our hearts. Sometimes it is not even a whisper but a deep, comforting, silent knowing. Trust that voice. Step into the unknown when it says, “Come!”

Today I will listen to my heart to discern God’s silent guidance and follow where it leads me, even when I am afraid.

Fed with love

James Tissot (1836-1902)
La multiplication des pains, between 1886 and 1894
opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper
Brooklyn Museum

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

It takes faith to know God is present at every moment, that I am in God and God is in me. It takes humility to recognize that God’s Spirit gives me life and the ability to speak, move, pray, love. It takes intention for me to practice the presence of God and know God’s love for me.

Today I will come to Jesus heedfully, remembering that he is the teacher who feeds me what I need for my spiritual journey. As I read and listen to sacred Scripture, I will practice mindful awareness of God’s presence in the Word of God.

Searching for love

Dilip V Nerlikar
Fisherman throwing the net in the Arabian sea, 2017

So God said to Solomon: “Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—I now do as you request.” 1 Kings 3:11-12a

When I search my heart to discern God’s will, I discover attributes I want to keep: compassion, humility, forgiveness, generosity, a sense of justice, a desire to serve those in need. And I discover attributes that block my true nature of love and goodness: petty complaints, a sense of entitlement, attachment to money and possessions, ingratitude, a need to fix or control others, indifference to those who are suffering.

My daily work is to admit I need help with my imperfections and ask God to remove anything that is unlike love from my heart, mind, and being so that I may be a humble witness to the kingdom of God among us as I go about my day.

Today I will take ten minutes of alone time to examine my heart. I will ask the Lord to illuminate and remove anything that is unlike love from me so that I may live in the light of compassion.

Seeds of love and goodness

Albin Egger-Lienz (1868–1926)
Sämann und Teufel (Sower and Devil), ca.1923
Memorial Chapel of the Fallen (Kriegergedächtniskapelle), Lienz

And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind.
Wisdom 12:19a

God is good, forgiving, abounding in kindness, slow to anger, and faithful. Made in God’s image, we are called to be as like God as possible. Sometimes, however, our shadow selves sow weeds of discouragement, disparagement, and scorn that choke the hope, self-esteem, and dignity of others and create division and distrust in the world.

We must remember that, like Jesus, we have been entrusted with the mission and ministry to sow seeds that bear the fruit of love, healing, peace, nonviolence, and unity for all people.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to come to my aid and guide my words, actions, and attitudes so that I may intentionally sow seeds of compassion, reconciliation, and harmony wherever I find myself.

The word is love

Jean-François Millet (1814-1875)
The Sower
pastel and Conté crayon on beige paper, mounted on wood-pulp board, ca.1865
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA

Jesus said, “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13:23

The word of God is love. The fruit I bear when I hear and understand God’s word of love feeds the people I encounter with respect, encouragement, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and forbearance. Love allows me to live humbly, share generously, act justly, welcome all people as beloved of God, and play a part in carrying out God’s vision of unity and peace in our world.

Today I will intentionally sow words of love in my thoughts and speech. I will allow my actions to reflect this love as I move through the day.

A yoke of love and peace

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 – 1861)
colour woodcut on Japan paper
Edo, 1847-1850
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Our burdens become lighter when we share them with Jesus and allow him to enlighten us about the source of our struggles and wounds. He opens our minds and hearts to receive and accept the good news that we are on a spiritual journey to deepen our true natures of love and goodness. We grow in likeness to him: merciful, slow to anger, kind, good, compassionate, faithful, humble, and of help to those who are suffering. We learn to carry this yoke of love and peace with grace and ease.

Today I will rest from worry. I will intentionally seek the company of Jesus and share my burdens with him. I will practice his way of peace, kindness, and love with everyone I encounter.

Acts of mercy

Giving Drink to the Thirsty
Master of the Acts of Mercy
oil on fir, between 1460 and 1470
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jesus said to his apostles, “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Acts of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, mercy: our true natures of goodness and love are reflected in how we relate to and care for others.

Today I will learn about the Corporal Acts of Mercy and choose one to carry out:
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick
Visit the prisoners
Bury the dead
Give alms to the poor

More than our physical bodies

Bilal Mirza
House Sparrows in Pakistan, 2008

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Matthew 10:28

We are free to follow Jesus, to do God’s will of love and peace, to speak out against injustice, greed, racism, war, and all that discounts the preciousness of human life in every form.

We are more than our physical bodies. We are the light of God’s love in our hurting, fragile world. We are the voice of God’s peace, kindness, and reconciliation. We are the presence of God’s comfort and healing.

By the resurrection of Jesus, we know that life does not end with death. We have nothing to fear by following him on the way of love.

Today I will sit quietly and observe the sensations in my body. Because I can watch moment-to-moment physical changes happen, I will know I am greater than this fragile human body. I will ask the Lord to teach me the truth of who I am.

The authority to heal

Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937)
Disciples Healing the Sick
oil on cardboard, ca.1930
Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Matthew 10:1

When we examine our lives in the light of God’s love, we become aware of the parts of our beings that have been made unclean by our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds.

When we accept the authority Jesus gives us to cleanse our personal darkness, we find that we become lighter, kinder, more loving, more ready to reconcile with those who have hurt us and those we have hurt, and be at peace. Our personal healing has a tremendous power for good in our suffering world.

Today I will ask the Lord for the faith to accept the authority to cleanse myself of anything that prevents me from loving God, myself, and my neighbor. I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me as I seek to become an active healer in and for our world.