Author Archives: Mary Ann

Make me clean

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
Christus geneest een melaatse
Pen and ink drawing; 14.7 x 17.2 cm
c.1650-1655
Rijksprentenkabinet

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Mark 1:40-41

The Lord does not withhold mercy, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, or guidance from us. He wishes us to be whole and healed. All we have to do is ask him for his grace-filled help.

Today I will turn to the Lord in times of trouble. I will ask for healing and trust the Lord hears and answers me.

Look for the Lord

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-law (La guérison de la belle-mère de Pierre)
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886-1894
Brooklyn Museum

Simon and those who were with Jesus pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Mark 1:36-37

When I feel restless, when I feel my life is a drudgery, when I feel lonely and sad, that’s when I intentionally go looking for the Lord. I ask him to be with me, heal me, show me how to be of service in this moment.

Today I will remember I am always in the presence of God who is good and gracious and wise, who heals my brokenness and gives me hope.

Listen

Alexandre Bida (1813-1895)
Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue, 1875

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Psalm 95:7-8

Jesus speaks with authority about taking care of the hungry, homeless, and imprisoned. He speaks with authority about welcoming strangers. He speaks with authority about loving my enemies and forgiving those who hurt me.

Today I will soften my heart, listen to the Lord’s call to love and care for each and every member of our human family, and respond in a concrete way.

Teach me, O Lord

Fishing with the Cast-net

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD. Psalm 25:6-7

Teach my your way of kindness and goodness, Lord. Grant me the grace to remember all people are in need of compassion. Open my heart to welcome and listen to those who are suffering.

Following the Lord

The Baptist points to the scroll on his cross that reads Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” John 1:38

When I call myself a follower of Jesus, I am looking to be more like him in kindness, patience, nonviolence, forgiveness, compassion. I am looking to be more like him in following God’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense, being aware of the needs of others, helping the ill, the lonely, the discouraged.

Today I will take time in quiet prayer to consider what I am looking for as I follow Jesus. I will ask for the grace to be more like him in my interactions with others.

A gift for you

JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48292 [retrieved January 7, 2024].

The Magi opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

We carry so many gifts in us. Kindness. Hospitality. Respect. Creativity. Forgiveness. Generosity. Good humor. Helpfulness. Love.

Whenever we offer our gifts to others, we offer them to the Lord.

Today I will open the treasure of my heart and share one of my gifts with someone in need.

Clothed in love

Holy Family

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

May I live each day clothed in the love of God, neighbor, and self.

Today I will intentionally walk in the ways of the Lord. I will look for and honor God’s presence in every person.

Love makes all things possible

Fourth Sunday of Advent

“For nothing will be impossible for God.” Luke 1:37

Trust God. Let go of fear. Expect good things to happen. Share a smile, share a meal. Look for God in everyone. Bless the world with your love and respect and kindness.

Today I will remember I carry God’s love with and in me, and nothing will be impossible.

Embody goodness

Third Sunday of Advent

Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Kindness is good. Patience is good. Respect for all people is good. Forgiveness is good. Giving thanks is good. Compassion is good.

God’s love for us is good and calls us to turn away from the dark to embrace the light.

Today I will seek the light of Christ to help me embody goodness with my words, actions, and behaviors.

Give comfort

Second Sunday of Advent

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

We are all frail people who are suffering from something voiced or unvoiced, something accepted or denied, something tangible or intangible.

Today I will do as God asks and offer a word or gesture of comfort to everyone I meet, including myself.