Becoming obedient

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Jesus Before Pilate, James Tissot (1836-1902)
First Interview (Jésus devant Pilate. Premier entretien).
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

[Jesus] humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

In all times God walks with us through fear, pain, uncertainty, sorrow, and grief. Our part is to trust God’s will, trust God’s vision, trust God’s love, trust God is with us.

Today I will accept that this is a time of illness and isolation. I will ask God to show me God’s will for me and for the grace to carry it out.

 

 

To comfort

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The Raising of Lazarus (after Rembrandt)
Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890), Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, May 1890
oil on paper, 50 cm x 65.5 cm
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. John 11:17-19

There is a tremendous sorrow in our world right now. We need each other’s love and compassion. We need to comfort one another.

Today I will offer comfort to someone in need.

I fear no evil

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American Colony (Jerusalem). Photo Department, photographer
Set of thirteen select slides of shepherd life, illustrating the Twenty Third Psalm. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23:1

May my heart reflect and bless the world with the goodness and love that is my birthright.

May I live as a child of the Light and produce every kind of goodness and love.

May the Lord open my eyes that I may see goodness and love in everyone I encounter.

 

 

Who is in charge?

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N. Courier
Christ and the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s Well
lithograph, hand colored, between 1835 and 1836

“Is the LORD in our midst or not?” Exodus 17:7

To believe in God is to know God is present with us always.

God is in charge. God has not abandoned us or forsaken us. God will not let us be lost in the frightening, crazy, unjust, hard-hearted happenings of the world.

Today I will welcome the Lord. I will take time to listen for God’s voice. I will embody the Lord’s kindness by speaking respectfully to everyone I encounter.

Transfigured

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White as light

[Jesus] was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Matthew 17:2

Those moments of transfiguring awe
when you see a rainbow in a dewdrop,
the translucent wing of a seagull in flight,
when you hear the silence
and know you are in the presence of God.

 

 

Nonviolent authority

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James Tissot (1836-1902)
Jésus tenté dans le désert
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.” Matthew 4:8-10

Here is a glimpse into the nonviolent nature of Jesus. He listens to the devil’s words without judgment, but, with calm authority, refuses to participate in the devil’s campaign for power.

Jesus’ command of the scriptures and knowledge of the nature of God form his responses and become teaching moments — in which, without aggression, he offers the devil the possibility of conversion.

Lord, teach me your Way of nonviolence that I may serve God in love and justice.

The bad and the good

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Károly Ferenczy (1862–1917)
Sermon on the Mountain
oil on canvas, 1896
Hungarian National Gallery

Jesus said to his disciples, “Your heavenly Father… makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:45

Whenever I catch myself judging others, I remind myself that God loves all people equally. No one’s life is more or less valuable to the One who created us all in love and for love.

Lord, help me to see as you see and love as you love.