Author Archives: Mary Ann

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.

My choice

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Persian Jesus (Isa) miniature of
Sermon on the Mount

If you choose you can keep the commandments,
they will save you;
if you trust in God, you too shall live;
he has set before you fire and water
to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.
Before man are life and death, good and evil,
whichever he chooses shall be given him.
Sirach 15:15-17

Today I will choose the qualities of God: patience, kindness, civility, respect, compassion, delight, and love.

I will choose self-responsibility and forgiveness.

I will choose to act with integrity and mercy.

I will choose quiet time with God.

 

 

Add flavor

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George Pencz (ca.1500-1550)
To Feed the Hungry
Engraving
National Gallery of Art

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

No matter our situation, we can add flavor to life by sharing kindness with those who are hungry for attention. We can offer the shelter of our compassion to those who are suffering. We can wrap the lonely in the caring warmth of our companionship.

Today I will seek quiet moments to pray and meditate so that I may not lose my taste for loving and serving my neighbor.