A yoke of love and peace

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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

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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.

The bread of love and peace

The Bread Line, 1872
Grigori Grigorjewitsch Mjassojedow (1834-1911)

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” John 6:51

We are one with Jesus as we give life to the world by following his example of humbly feeding those who are hungry for love, peace, forgiveness, food, safe homes, and a warm welcome. We are one with Jesus when we accept that our commitment to serve and speak out on behalf of the poor, overlooked, and forgotten may lead us to the Cross, as his life service did.

Today I will take time to feed myself by reading the Word of God. I will choose to eat the Lord’s bread of loving kindness, reconciliation, and generosity. I will speak respectfully to all people and make a donation to an organization that provides food for those in need.

God so loves the world

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17

As discouraging as it might be to witness the wars, racism, greed, injustice, cruelty, and indifference to human suffering that continue to plague our world, I need to trust that God’s love for each of us never wavers. God has sent us Jesus as our teacher and reminder that we are to say no to violence; we are to be peacemakers; we are to welcome all people; we are to humbly serve those in need; we are to help make God’s vision of love, peace, and unity a reality in our world.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to open my mind and heart to be mindful of the people I meet. I will ask for the grace to bring something of God’s loving presence to everyone by treating all people with respect, patience, and kindness.

In one Spirit of love and peace

Ed de Guzman
Pentecost
gouache on special paper, 2014

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

Touched by the flames of God’s passion, drawn into intimacy by Jesus’ breath, we are filled and fulfilled by the Holy Spirit who guides us in our efforts to communicate with all people of every race, nationality, culture, and way of life in the universal language of love.

Today I will spend time to discern the spiritual gifts I have been given by God. I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me to use these gifts to help renew the face of our fragile earth. I will embody the good news of God’s peace, love, and unity wherever I may be, whatever I may do.

Glorify God

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

Jesus said, “Father, I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4

Taking refuge in the love of the Lord, we find the courage to give glory to God by embodying the way of Jesus in love and service to our neighbors. Making good use of our unique gifts and talents, we give glory to God by helping to bring about God’s vision of love, peace, and unity for our world one act of kindness at a time.

Today I will trust I am safe in the heart of God. I will give glory to God by offering my peaceful, encouraging presence to someone who is ill, lonely, or afraid.

The Spirit of Love

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Churinga (pure light, glory of God)

Jesus said, “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.” John 14:21a

Jesus teaches us that the greatest and first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). When I observe these commandments, I live and move and have my being in the heart of God.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me as I practice loving God, myself, and my neighbor with kindness, gentleness, and reverence.

The way

Frank Wesley (1923-2002)
Stephen Feeding the Poor, Acts 6:3, 5

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

When I wonder what to do with my life, I look to Jesus as my teacher and model. I follow his way of noticing and greeting others with kindness and respect. I learn to offer a warm smile, a listening ear, an encouraging word, and to be a healing, peaceful presence.

I follow the way of Jesus by forgiving those who have hurt me. I learn to choose mercy over condemnation, reconciliation over resentment, unity over divisiveness.

I follow the way of Jesus by spending quiet time with God. I make the choice to put my faith in God’s wisdom and guidance. I learn to keep love at the center of my life.

Today I will ask for the grace to put my trust in the Lord and follow his way of love and compassion.