Author Archives: Mary Ann

Carried by the Good Shepherd

Anton Mauve, 1838-1888 Shepherd and Sheep
oil on canvas, ca.1880
Cincinnati Museum of Art

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.” John 10:11-12

The wolf that divides and scatters us is fear: fear of those whose beliefs are different from ours, fear of change, fear of diversity, fear of unity, fear of being overlooked, fear of betrayal, fear of touching those who are ill, fear of rejection, fear of pain, fear of not having enough, fear of loving, fear of being loved.

With infinite love, patience, and kindness, the Good Shepherd carries us through the fear and guides us back to wholeness and oneness.

Today I will take refuge with the Good Shepherd and trust his guidance. I will put my attention on God’s kindness and mercy instead of fear. I will thank God for hearing me when I ask for help.

Beyond suffering

Andrei Miranov (b.1975)
Peace Be Upon You!
oil on canvas

And Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.” Luke 24:46

Suffering is a human reality. People everywhere in our world are suffering – from war, oppression, poverty, racism, starvation, illness, violence, betrayal, depression, neglect, natural disasters, indifference.

Jesus Christ knows what it means to suffer. Jesus walks with us, carries us, comforts us in every moment of our suffering.

Today I will be gentle with myself and others who are suffering. I will remember the Resurrection is proof of life beyond suffering.

Peace be with you

Guercino (1591-1666)
Doubting Thomas
oil on canvas, 1621
Residenzgalerie Salzburg

Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
John 20:19

What the Lord wants for us is peace. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our families. Peace in our communities. Peace between countries. Peace for all people everywhere.

Today I will receive the Lord’s gift of peace and intentionally give it away to anyone I meet wherever I may happen to be. May I reflect the peace of God in my thoughts, words, behaviors, and actions.

Feel the hush and hope

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
John 20:1

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Psalm 118:24

When the stone of resistance is removed from my heart, I will be emptied of sadness, betrayal, despair, pain, resentment, and fear. I will feel the hush and hope of the Resurrection.

Lord Jesus, you have been through everything I am going through. I trust you are helping and guiding me in every moment. Lead me in the light of your love that I too may offer others the gift of hope and gladness.

Trust God’s will

John Anthony (1823–1901)
Garden of Gethsemane and View of Jerusalem
Albumen silver print from glass negative, 1860s
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jesus said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” Mark 14:36

God’s will doesn’t always make sense to me. But when I remember the example of Jesus at Gethsemane, I find it easier to trust God’s will always leads me to life and love.

Lord, you are my help. Your wisdom is infinite and your vision pure Truth. Grant me the grace to empty myself of the need to be your equal. Show me your will for me today and help me to trust you are leading me deeper into the light of your presence.

Ego-emptying

Wheat and Sky

Jesus answered them, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” John 12:26

To serve the Lord, I must empty myself of anything and everything that prevents me from following him on the Way of love, forgiveness, mercy, and kindness.

Lord, create in me a pure heart that I may let go of ego and serve you and my neighbors without fear.

The gift of grace

Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) Jesus and Nicodemus, 1899

For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

There are no rewards, only gifts. Everything we receive from God is a gift of grace.

Today I will intentionally turn toward the light of God’s rich love and mercy for guidance in the choices I make, the words I speak, and the works I do.

Power and wisdom

[We proclaim] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1: 24b-25

The power and wisdom of God is Love.

Today I will intentionally live in and from God’s heart of unconditional love. I will be kind, encouraging, compassionate, and peaceful and bless everyone near and far, known and unknown.

Transformed by gratitude

Linda McCray
Transfiguration
acrylic & sand from the River Jordan and Montana
on floating wood panel

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116:17

Giving thanks to the Lord transforms me from being self-centered to being God-centered. Calling on the name of the Lord reminds me Who is in charge.

Today I will cultivate a practice of giving thanks to God for everything, the pleasant and the difficult. I will call on the Lord to guide me into the healing light of compassion.

In the heart of God

Briton Rivière (1840–1920)
The Temptation in the Wilderness
oil on canvas, 1898
Guildhall Art Gallery

At once Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
Mark 1:12-13

The desert gives me space to examine my life and refuse the temptations of despair and indifference. The desert gives me space to release the wild beasts of fear and arrogance. The desert gives me space to put my hope in the Lord and welcome God’s angel messengers who care for me so generously.

Today I will go where the Spirit leads me. With love and trust, I will step into the heart of God and live from that holy place.

Greg Boyle, SJ speaks about living in the heart of God – Ash Wednesday 2024.