Author Archives: Mary Ann

God is here

Sebaid Beham (1500-1550)
Print, book illustration,1530
British Museum, 1940,0617.12

Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God. Isaiah 35:4a

No matter what it looks like in our troubled world, God is in charge. We are not lost. We have not been abandoned. God is here. We have nothing to fear. God’s vision of love and unity will be fulfilled.

Today I will intentionally choose to open my eyes and ears and heart to discern where I can bring a little comfort, a little peace, a little love to the people in my corner of the world.

Welcome the Word

Friedrich Böhringer
Chrome steel letters on a rusty steel plate
3 May 2009

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. James 1:21b-22

The Word in our hearts is love. The Word is what inspires us to greet others with a smile, take time to listen when someone needs to process difficult feelings, pray for those who are struggling, ask God to guide our words and actions.

Today I will attend to what I say and do that I may not defile the world with unkindness, bitterness, or indifference. I will welcome the guidance of the Word in my heart and be intentional about embodying the love of God in all my interactions.

Being led to the light

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Psalm 34:19

It has been a long week of pain, panic, and distress. With gratitude, I remember the kind people who are praying for me. And I also remember that Jesus knows the truth of human suffering and is walking with me, guiding me through this dark tunnel to the light at the other end.

Today I will trust the Holy One of God is leading me to new life.

Forsake foolishness

Seven Pillars of Wisdom at Wadi Rum
seen from the road between the vistors’ center and Rum village
By Daniel Case [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons

Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. Ephesians 5:15-17

Jesus teaches that it is God’s will that I love my neighbor as myself, forgive those who hurt me, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger. If I ignore Jesus and refuse to feed on his word and example, I am indeed foolish.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to fill me the wisdom and courage to embody God’s will of love and humble service.

Bless us, O Lord

Walter Gay (1856-1937)
The Blessing, 1888
Musée de Picardie

And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32

Jesus, the bread of life, nourishes me with his example of loving service so that I become more like him in kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

Today I will give thanks to the One who feeds me on the Way of peace, reconciliation, and love.

Believe and be fed

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Gathering of the Manna
(La récolte de la manne)
gouache on board, c. 1896-1902
The Jewish Museum

So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” John 6:28-29

To follow the Way of Jesus Christ, to practice forgiveness, compassion, healing, and awareness of the needs of others, to surrender to the will of God: this is the work I am called to accomplish every day.

Today I will nourish myself with the Word of God and believe that Jesus was sent from God to show me how to live, love, and do the works of God.

Feed one another

JESUS MAFA. Jesus multiplies the loaves and fish, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

[L]ive in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

Let us not waste any opportunity to treat all people with reverence. Let us feed each other with kindness and gentleness. Let us share peaceful words and be unified in God’s Spirit of love and mercy.

Today I will feed myself, my family, friends, and everyone I encounter with patience and kindness.

Christ Jesus is our peace

Camille Pissarro (1830-1903)
Landscape with Flock of Sheep
oil on canvas, 1889 and 1902
Norton Simon Museum

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34

Let us follow the teaching of the Lord, our shepherd, and take care of each other in peace and love. Let us follow his teaching and forgive those who hurt us. Let us follow his teaching and love one another, even our enemies.

Today I will intentionally choose peace over conflict, reconciliation over revenge, and love over indifference.

In unity and community

Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) Disciples Healing the Sick oil on cardboard, ca.1930 Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. Mark 6:7

We give and receive strength for life’s journey by walking, working, praying, grieving, and laughing with each other. Our relationships teach us to love, forgive, reconcile, and find peaceful solutions to conflict. When we spend time with those who suffer, we are healed in unfathomable ways and our compassion deepens.

Today I will claim the authority God has given me to work with others to heal all that prevents us from living in unity, including my own fears and prejudices.

By the grace of God

António de Oliveira Bernardes (1686/1687 – 1732)
A Rejeição de Jesus em Nazaré (“Um profeta não deixa de receber honra, senão na sua terra”)
painel de azulejos, século XVIII
Igreja da Misericórdia, Évora, Portugal

The Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 9

Vulnerability and weakness remind me of my humanity. In humble awareness that I can do nothing without God, I turn to the Lord whose grace gives me the power to keep going.

Today I will ask the Lord to grace me with mercy, love, trust, and courage.