Ralph Stackpole (1885-1973)
Worship, 1915
Since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:28
It’s never too late to turn from resentment, hostility, indifference, self-righteousness, divisiveness, racism…
Today is the day I will turn towards the light of forgiveness, kindness, compassion, generosity, unity, and respect for all members of our human family.
Lord, give me the courage to follow your Way of life.
Gerard de Jode (ca.1511-1591)
The Parable of the workers in the vineyard, 1585
Royal Library of Belgium
Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6
God is as near as my choice to love my neighbor as myself, to treat others with respect, to show compassion to those who are suffering, to forgive those who have hurt me, to be generous to those in need.
Today I will seek the path of love, compassion, and peace. I will call on the Lord to give me the courage and trust to follow this path.
James Tissot (1836-1902)
Saint Pierre), 1886-1894
Opaque watercolor over graphite on cream wove paper
Brooklyn Museum
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
Psalm 103:8
Today I will open my heart to healing.
I will let go of resentment. I will refuse to hold a grudge. I will transform my suffering into compassionate awareness of others’ suffering.
Joe Zachs
Prayer before leaving for church for a first communion.
Jesus said to his disciples, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
We gather today in the name of the Lord to pray for kindness, courtesy, respect, racial harmony, healing from the COVID-19 pandemic, and human rights for all of God’s family.
The Lord is in our midst.
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Dominicus Johannes Bergsma
Wooden cross on the ridge between Tguma and Präzer Höhi, 2017
[Then Jesus said to his disciples,] “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25
In these uncertain days of racial discord and the COVID-19 pandemic, I worry about being safe and keeping others safe.
But safety is an illusion. I am human and cannot hide from illness, natural or man-made disasters, or the violence and greed of others.
My hope must always rest in knowing Who is in charge, in Whose blessed hands I find my security, in Whose heart I live forever.
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James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Calling of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper, between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum
Jesus said to his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15
Peter has spent long hours and many months with Jesus. He has come to know the compassion of God manifested in every word and touch of Jesus.
This is the key to the Kingdom of God: knowing God’s love in my heart and letting it overflow to all people with words and actions that reveal kindness, gentleness, respect, encouragement, justice, and healing.
Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib (Egyptian, active ca. 1684)
Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Ink and pigments on laid paper
The Walters Art Museum
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” Matthew 15:25
The COVID and racism pandemics are feeding a number of demons. As the demons of distress, anxiety, and fear attempt to infiltrate my mind, body, and spirit, I do my best to stay aware of their effect on me and ask the Lord to help me. I trust he hears and answers me.
Today I put my faith in the Compassion of God.
T’oros Roslin (ca.1210-1270)
Jesus Walks on the Sea, 1262
During the fourth watch of the night, [Jesus] came toward [the disciples] walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25
I sense an eagerness in Jesus. I sense that he wants very much to be with his friends and so he takes the quickest way to meet them: by walking on the sea.
How humbling to know the Lord is eager to be with us. How humbling for me to realize how often I am afraid to be in the Lord’s presence, how often I am afraid of the Lord’s powerful and unceasing love for me.
Today I will walk on the sea of love and trust as I consciously seek the presence of God. If I falter, I will ask the Lord to save me from my fear of loving and being loved.
Morning Repast.”Loaves and Fishes.”
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works. Psalm 145:8-9
Today I will remember I am made in the image and likeness of God. I will not let anger control me, but rather I will feed others with generous measures of kindness, goodness, and compassion.
Dilip V Nerlikar
The fisherman active in Vengurla, Maharshtra, India, 2017
And Jesus replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” Matthew 13:52
Every day I cast a net of discernment. It captures thought patterns, behaviors, and habits that prevent me from caring for those in need, forgiving those who have hurt me, and treating all people with respect and dignity. I sort through old fears, resentments, and wounds. I ask the Lord to remove all the hindrances to love and to strengthen everything in me that is generous, kind, and compassionate.
